Amanda Wilcox-Herzog, an associate professor of psychology at Cal State San Bernardino, has been selected as the winner of the 2011-2012 Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching.

Wilcox-Herzog, who came to CSUSB in 1999, was surprised in her classroom by the friendly “ambush” when university President Albert Karnig burst into her class on Jan. 19 to announce that she had won the university’s prestigious award. He was joined by former recipients of the award, colleagues and administrators to honor her.

Karnig said that it’s valuable to announce the Golden Apple award winner during class so that students can participate in the recognition.

“Student evaluations were a key element in Dr. Wilcox-Herzog’s selection, with comments that were effusive about her remarkable ability to explain complex issues, to skillfully ground theory in real-life situations, and the fact that she was simply ‘a great teacher,’” Karnig said. “She not only explains things thoroughly, but patiently.”

In reviewing her teaching records, the selection committee found her to be very passionate about teaching, wrote Tapie Rohm, chair of the selection committee. “Professor Wilcox-Herzog is the best of the best when it comes to teaching — a real teacher’s teacher,” said Rohm.

Karnig’s sudden appearance left Wilcox-Herzog dumbfounded. “We have presented this award to some of the most articulate people in the world,” he said, “and they can’t think of what to say.”

But through her surprise — and a few tears — she managed to squeeze out an abbreviated speech.

“Of all the things that I’ve done here at the university, this means the most to me, because it’s the job I do in front of you,” she told her students, Karnig and the others who were there.

Wilcox-Herzog is the director of the Infant/Toddler Laboratory School in CSUSB’s Institute of Child Development and Family Relations and co-director of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant program.

“In terms of childhood development,” Karnig added, “she loves her subject like she loves her subjects.”

In addition to teaching 11 undergraduate courses and one graduate course, Wilcox-Herzog has developed numerous programs and curriculum in the area of childhood development, including “Early Childhood Quality Improvement Project” and the “Center for Quality Early Childhood Program.” She is also coordinator for the human development program and supervisor of those laboratories, faculty adviser to the Child Development Club and director of the master’s degree in psychology program with the child development option.

Colleagues and students who nominated Wilcox-Herzog for the award consistently noted her passion for teaching, citing qualities such as “easy to understand” and “her enthusiasm makes it exciting to learn.” One student wrote, “Her ability to bring real-life examples to life through lecture allowed me to manipulate and understand the specific topics and things we address in class.”

Wilcox-Herzog has a bachelor’s from UC Irvine, a master’s degree in human development and a doctorate in early childhood development from Purdue University.

She will be honored at the annual San Bernardino Mayor’s Golden Apple Awards dinner on March 29, at CSUSB’s Obershaw Dining Room, along with three other employees from CSUSB, four from San Bernardino Valley College and four from the San Bernardino City School District.