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Distinguished Educator Award Recipients, 2004-2005
Pauline Waathiq, June 2005
Polly's greatest joy in teaching is seeing her students light up when they discover passions, solve problems, and meet their goals. "A true joy is collaborating with colleagues from different areas on projects that make a difference," she said. |
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Joanne Araki, May 2005
"I've been a nurse since 1972 and have never forgotten what it's like to be a student, to be a patient, and to be a health care provider. Empathy, compassion, confidence, integrity, knowledge, flexibility, humor, and safety are qualities that are so important in this profession," Joanne said. |
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Michael Brandt, April 2005
Students have been a great source for Michael's teaching style. "Understanding something is one thing, trying to explain it to someone else is another," he said. "I constantly ask my students questions as I lecture. I encourage them to ask me questions and call them by name if I see them drifting." |
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Diane Mathios, March 2005
"I have found that making mathematics understandable to students is a wonderful challenge and opportunity for creativity. Every job has its challenges, but I cannot think of anything I would rather do than teach." |
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Greg Druehl, February 2005
“They [De Anza students] are outstanding and responsive. Sometimes students will drop by and talk about their future education, or government and politics,” he said. “Student interaction inspires me. Even their challenges to ideas I’m sharing are great. It makes me think about what I teach and how I teach, which can contribute to better teaching.” |
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Jorge Gracia, January 2005
"I want to impart to my students: the idea that we are all students and that we are all teachers at the same time. I teach you and you teach me. I learn from you and you learn from me. Also, that you will learn only if you want to. Knowledge will not enter a closed mind," he said. "Once you develop a love for learning, it will continue to grow throughout the rest of your life. Material possessions might come and go, but the knowledge you have amassed in your brain is yours to keep." |
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Debi Shafer-Braun, December 2004
"Physical education has been pretty much eliminated in the lower levels of our educational system; students have absolutely no idea about what constitutes proper exercise and nutrition," Debi noted. "We all must educate constantly about the need for and value of exercise – staying active for life! So I have developed much more patience for my students. I'm also much more creative in what I do to reach so many different kinds of people." |
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Ulysses Pichon, November 2004
“I had a difficult time with testing in school, a much harder time than I actually had with my studies, but it took me years to realize that it was the tests that had the problems, not me,” Ulysses said. “In choosing teaching as a profession, I wanted to help students realize that we all have the potential to succeed, and that if we want something badly enough, we can achieve it.” |
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About De Anza
