What truly makes a great teacher? The criteria would have to closely match the professionalism and compassion of Leslie Sutcliffe. The Cuesta College Fine Arts Instructor and local community activist is the recipient of this year’s Peter and M’May Diffley Faculty Excellence Award. The annual cash award was established as an endowment by the Cuesta College Foundation and Peter Diffley of Morro Bay in memory of his wife, M’May.

More than a dozen nominators described Leslie as an extraordinary talent, bringing her expertise in printmaking, art appreciation and art history to Cuesta’s students for more than 16 years. Even as a part-time instructor, she has developed top-notch curriculum for the art department, such as the popular Print Media course or a class on the Art of Hearst Castle. "The environment that Leslie creates in her classes allows students to succeed through guided learning, asking questions and providing the freedom to explore new ways of doing things," wrote one nominator. "She is a master at creating a learning atmosphere that is relaxed, secure and also demanding."

Leslie does not hesitate to give extra to the college and her colleagues. She voluntarily manages the college’s printmaking facilities and volunteers her time to keep the lab open extra hours. According to another nominator, Leslie’s generosity of time and expertise exceeded all expectations. "Leslie volunteered ñ with no monetary compensation ñ to team-teach a drawing class with an instructor whose husband was terminally ill. Every Tuesday, Leslie’s Cuesta day began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 9:30 p.m.," wrote the nominator. "Leslie did this to purely ease the burden of concern on the other teacher, and to maintain a sense of continuity for the class when the other instructor was drawn away by medical emergencies. For this selfless act alone, Leslie deserves a seat in heaven."