By Anita R. Burt, Education and Examination Officer

The Real Estate Commission held its nineteenth annual state-wide conference for real estate educators on March 31 and April 1 at the North Raleigh Hilton. Education and Licensing Director Larry Outlaw welcomed the 130 attendees, who included prelicensing and continuing education instructors, school directors, course sponsors, and publishing company representatives.

A highlight of the conference was the "Learning Outcomes Seminar" conducted by nationally-renowned adult education consultant and trainer Louis Phillips. Dr. Phillips demonstrated effective teaching strategies as he explained relationships between brain physiology and learning styles.

The topic, "Problems of Private Real Estate Schools and Community Colleges" was addressed by school directors Susan Wall, Roger Cumbie and Jim Hagan. Veteran instructors Tom Mangum and JoAnn LaVecchia shared their ideas for "Teaching Practical Applications of Concepts."

Commission Continuing Education Officer Pamela Milligan addressed issues of particular importance to sponsors and instructors of real estate continuing education courses, and Education and Examination Officer Anita Burt discussed matters of concern to prelicensing instructors.

Tom Miller, the Commission's Legal Counsel, and Miriam Baer, Assistant Director of Legal Services, conducted a "License Law Forum" based on actual Real Estate Commission cases.

In conjunction with the conference, the North Carolina Real Estate Educators Association (NCREEA) held its annual chapter meeting and awards ceremony recognizing exceptional contributions to real estate education during the past year. Deborah Carpenter of Raleigh was honored as "Educator of the Year," while "Program of the Year" honors went to Cindy Chandler of Charlotte for development of a commercial real estate training program. For the second year in a row, NCREEA newsletter editor Mike Hughes received the "President's Award" for his outstanding service to the organization.

NCREEA President Sharon Pelt recognized Past President Peggy Bivens for her years of dedicated service to the organization and announced that NCREEA had made a contribution to the Alamance Community College Foundation for the Everett G. Mogle Memorial Scholarship.

Also in attendance and assisting with conference preparation and registration was Penny Childress, Assistant to the Director of Education and Licensing.