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"Excellence is the gradual result of always wanting to do better," said legendary basketball coach Pat Riley. SWC teachers Jackie Thomas and Henry Aronson insist on pushing the ball up the court.
Thomas, professor of chemistry, and Aronson, an adjunct English instructor, are recipients of the 2010 Teaching Excellence Awards.
Scientists have long sought facts to support understanding of a complicated universe and Thomas burns with the inquisitiveness that stokes the flames of discovery.
"I always wanted to know why," said Thomas. "Why does this do that?"
Thomas said teaching is gratifying. She has worked at SWC for 13 years. Thomas earned her M.S. in chemistry from SDSU and never looked back. She is involved in numerous scientific projects and academic associations, conducts research and compiles articles addressing the ways matter interacts and behaves. Thomas is affiliated with Reasons To Believe, an organization of scientists and academics working to reconcile the ancient conflict between science and religion.
"I have my faith and my science," said Thomas. "It works for me."
David Hecht, professor of chemistry, said Thomas excels at her work because she loves students and science.
"I would sum it up as being due to her great passion for teaching," said Hecht.
Passion is also something that drives Aronson, a part-time English instructor with full-time dedication to his students and the college.
Originally interested in counseling, Aronson said he soon realized the importance of equipping new college students with the most essential skills--reading and writing. He said his students are usually fresh out of high school or turned to college later in life and negotiate the balance between living and learning. To do that, Aronson said he utilizes curricular tactics that engage his students and invigorate their inner learner.
"Some times we listen to music and analyze what the artists are saying," said Aronson. "What's Tupac saying here? What does Mary Jane mean by that?"
Aronson also acknowledges the benefit of technology and classroom integration. He said having a computer is a great boon, we can Google information and learn together while maintaining discourse.
Aaron Starck, director of EOPS, said Aronson's caring manifests itself in his approach to reaching students. Aronson volunteered to hold essay-writing workshops for the African-American Student Union and offered detailed, individualized feedback.
EOPS counselor Samone Sayasenh said Aronson is exceptional at developing "a sense of community" in his classes to facilitate collaborative learning.
Excellence is a standard which Thomas and Aronson insist on, but both acknowledged that it is not easy becoming an educated person. Today's students face many challenges, Aronson said, and have to be devoted to their educations.
"Life happens," she said.
"Its not easy," he said. "But it is definitely worth it."
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