McPherson Distinguished Teaching Awards

The McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching & Outstanding Commitment to Quality Education. The McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award is funded by the McPherson Endowment established by the founding president Dr. Harry McPherson and his family now held by the Napa Valley College Foundation.

Founding President Dr. Harry McPherson has helped generations of Napa Valley College students. From his vision and institutional leadership to his support of scholarships and encouragement of individual students, he touched many lives. Establishing the McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award is another example of his support of our outstanding faculty and his commitment to excellence in education.

2024 McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award

The Office of Academic Affairs and the Napa Valley College Foundation congratulate this year’s recipient of the 2024 McPherson Distinguished Teaching Award, recognizing excellence in teaching and outstanding commitment to quality education.

Antonio Castro is an educator and an electrical engineer. He obtained his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from California State University Fullerton in 2000 and his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 2006. He has taught math, science, and engineering courses in high school and college. Also, he has taught design and installation of photovoltaic systems in the United States and in Chile. As an engineer, he has experience designing and manufacturing electrical communications test equipment. He has worked with both digital and analog circuit designs.

For Antonio, teaching goes beyond the classroom. It includes engaging students outside the classroom with hands-on and motivating activities and doing outreach to local schools. Antonio believes that a quality education is important as it allows individuals to best serve their community and society. He volunteers with local organizations to mentor and motivate students. Antonio thinks that it is important to get students involved in student organizations and hands-on activities. This allows them to engage and build a student and professional network, develop curiosity, and find something that they enjoy doing. Antonio was born in California; however, he grew up in Mexico until the age of 13. He has been married to his wife Ana for over 20 years. They have two children, Alexandra and Antonio. He likes to spend time and travel with his family and enjoys reading and sharing what he learns with others.

Congratulations to Professor Castro! 

List of Past Winners ​

2023
Janet Stickmon

2022
Janice Ankenmann
Michael Campbell

2021
Cathy Gillis
Jeannette McClendon
Jennifer King

2020
Dr. ​Sally Baldwin
Dr. Lisa Yanover

2019
Kelly McCann
Paul Gospodarczyk

2018
Dr. Steven Fawl
Paul Wagner