AWC faculty mark 30-year milestone

Popularly known as the pearl anniversary, 30 years is an auspicious milestone - which two Arizona Western College teachers have reached this fall.

Mary Thode, conversational Spanish teacher, and Joyce Stegeman, tole painting teacher, have seen many changes at AWC. But both say what keeps them going is the joy they receive from conferring critical thinking skills to scores of students.

Thode received her bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Minnesota and master's degrees in Spanish from the University of Arizona and in counseling from Northern Arizona University-Flagstaff.

"I like teaching beginners because I love to see them when that spark goes off when they realize they can communicate with people in a second language."

Stegeman, who also teaches modular classes not part of a degree program, said one of the things she enjoys most are her winter visitor students.

"They're here to learn something self-rewarding. I have some who have never had a hobby. They just spent their entire life on the farm."

Thode now teaches mostly winter visitors at AWC's Entrepreneurial Center. To help immerse students in Spanish, she takes them on day trips to Mexicali to show them there is more to Mexico than the border towns of Los Algodones and San Luis Rio Colorado, Son.

"We visit the Mexicali airport and bus depot so students can learn how to travel without driving. There are three airlines to Mexico and 350 bus lines. The buses are more elegant than many tour buses here."

She said Mexican people are very appreciative of Americans who speak Spanish even if a speaker is not fluent.

"Knowing a second language is becoming a necessary job skill, much like computer skills, and it's not just in the Southwest. French is valued in the Northeast and a lot of companies are doing business with Japan and the Mideast."

There have been quite a few changes at AWC over the past 30 years, most notably the impact of computers, Thode said. She now has a language resource classroom and many online learning charts students can access.

Another difference is that Spanish instruction is evolving. Formerly, she focused on Spanish as spoken in Mexico but with so many traveling to Latin America, she now includes idioms from throughout the region.

Thode said teachers must have a passion for the profession and helping people grasp a greater understanding of the subject at hand.

"I've enjoyed every minute of my 30 years here. I appreciate AWC's confidence keeping me around that long, and I'm pleased to be a part of the faculty and proud to have known the students."

Stegeman took over teaching tole painting from a friend already on the AWC faculty. Tole is what the French used to describe as painting done on tin but in the U.S. it applies to almost any material - wood, glass, candles or any surface on which there is room to paint.

"Studies have found tole painting is a great stress reliever. You concentrate so much on what you're doing, the stress leaves and you gain a lot of self-gratification."

Doctors, lawyers, nurses and even policemen have taken her classes and are noticeably more relaxed, she said.

The art form has expanded so much recently, it is more decorative painting now, Stegeman said. What started out as cute, hastily done images has progressed into more of an heirloom quality.

Stegeman said she has has valued her tenure at the college.

"It's been so rewarding to see how much pleasure people are getting from this art form."