The Centralia College Foundation has selected Teneal Bannon and Mary Capen to receive the 2026 Exceptional Faculty Awards.
They were chosen for their commitment to and excellence in their subject areas, and participation in campus activities, according to a news release from the college.
Both will be formally honored at the college’s commencement ceremony on June 18.
Teneal Bannon
Teneal Bannon was working in a pediatric intensive care unit when she was first assigned a student nurse to mentor.
“I discovered that I truly enjoyed mentoring, answering questions, and watching a learner grow in confidence,” she said. “What started as a single precepting experience sparked a passion for teaching that eventually led me into nursing education.”
She started teaching at Centralia College in 2015 and says she especially enjoys being on a two-year journey with nursing students.
“I love seeing the excitement students have when things finally ‘click.’ I also love seeing the students’ confidence build throughout the two-year program,” she said. “I love teaching nursing students because they bring energy, curiosity, and a genuine excitement for learning to the classroom and clinical setting.”
Bannon is herself a graduate of Centralia College’s nursing program.
“Centralia College has always felt like family to me,” she added. “I began my own educational journey here in 1996, so having the opportunity to be here as a faculty member and support the next generation of students is especially meaningful.”
This is Bannon’s second Exceptional Faculty Award. She previously won in 2021.
Mary Capen
Mary Capen graduated from the Centralia College Nursing program in 2010 and was working in an urgent care center as a lead RN when she was asked to teach a few continuing education classes for her employer. She enjoyed it so much, she started taking classes toward her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. As she was finishing her education, a position at the college opened up and she came back to Centralia College as a teacher in 2016.
In addition to teaching, Capen works as a RN first assist in the operating room at Providence Centralia Hospital. She said she enjoys bringing her real life experiences in the OR into the classroom by designing hands-on exercises for her students, particularly those in the surgical unit.
“All the courses are uniquely fun to teach and the content helps students understand the role of the nurse in each area,” she said. “Nurses can go into many different fields when they complete our program.”
Capen is a lifelong learner and finds working at the college conducive to exploring her interests and expanding her own knowledge.
“I continue to be a student here at the college, as well,” she added. “I have taken two psychology courses this year. I respect my colleagues and the faculty that work here. I feel they are dedicated to brightening the world with opportunities and quality education.”
