Dental Assisting instructor focuses on student success

Posted: February 03, 2015

Recently, we sat down with instructor Flossie Hollie, who has been a part of Bates Technical College’s faculty for 14 years. 

Instructor Flossie Hollie enjoys being a part of the daily transformation of the students.

Instructor Flossie Hollie enjoys being a part of the daily transformation of the students.

Q: What inspires you each day?

A: That I’m given the opportunity to touch the lives of the dental assistant students each day, and that I get to be part of the daily transformation of their lives. Paying back and paying it forward. Seeing them realize their potential is very inspiring and challenging—yet rewarding.

Q: What is your mission at Bates?

A: My mission (and I have chosen to accept my mission) is to ensure that learning has occurred, and to make a difference.

Q: Why would you encourage military students attending Bates to enroll into your program?

A: I would encourage military students to attend Bates’ Dental Assisting program for these reasons:

  • Its growing demand in industry, and the outlook for employment in this area is available upon successful completion of the program.
  • It is an accredited program by the American Dental Association and a great health care profession.
  • Can be completed within 11 month time frame. And, being a 20-year veteran of the United States Army, Dental Corp, vocational education is very similar to military training, with a hands-on component, and the military student would be somewhat accustomed to this method of training.

Q: What is the best part of being a Bates Technical College faculty member?

A: The best part of being a part of the Bates Technical College faculty is that I get to teach a diverse population of students, and I am able to inspire, educate and challenge them to realize their goals and dreams. To see that students walk across the stage at graduation, and know that I was a part of their success. To be part of an institution that is forward- thinking and evolves with industry, and changes with technology.

Q: If you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would that be, and why?

A: Maya Angelou, because she was an “overcomer” and shared great wisdom with her poems, stories, and words.

“If you get, give.  If you learn, teach.”  -Maya Angelou