Out of approximately 600 instructors at Arapahoe Community College, three had the prestigious honor of being named as a “2007 Instructor of the Year.” The honorees include: Mark Mueller of the Health, Math, Science and Engineering Division; Chris Daniels of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Division; and, William Bennett of the Business and Professional Studies Division. Each was nominated by the chair of the department in which they teach.

“Having instructors who are current practitioners in the fields they teach is an important advantage we offer students,” said ACC’s President Dr. Bert Glandon. “I salute these fine educators for the incredible impact they are having on our students.”

Mark Mueller – Health, Math, Science and Engineering Instructor of the Year

Mueller is a veteran instructor in the math department. According to Math department chair Dr. Erica Hastert, “He is always looking to become a better teacher and often asks faculty for their tips and insight to help him improve. Plus he recently completed a course to teach him even more techniques to facilitate teaching and learning”

Mueller volunteers time assisting ACC’s Student Retention Committee with their efforts to promote student satisfaction and success.  He also serves as a tutor in ACC’s Math Support Room.  “These activities, along with his continuing quest for relevant application exercises, have demonstrated that Mark has a passion for mathematics and learning new techniques to help his students understand difficult concepts,” adds Hastert.

Chris Daniels – Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Instructor of the Year

Daniels, nominated by Music department chair Dr. Hidemi Matsushita, joined ACC’s Music Department six years ago. Matsushita nominated Daniels partly because since Daniels has come to ACC, the Music Department’s enrollment has more than doubled.  Daniels has planned, created and taught three courses for the department, two of which were new and added to the Colorado Community College System’s official curriculum.  

Daniels’ band, Chris Daniels and the Kings, is popular not only in the Denver metro area, but internationally. Matsuhita is especially pleased with Daniels, through the popularity of his band, has helped to spread the name of Arapahoe Community College at his concerts.

When asked to comment on being named an Instructor of the Year, Daniels said, "It's really an honor. The best part of teaching at the College for me is when I see that the students ‘get it.  There is that magic moment when the lights go on. And even better is watching a student grow through the year and really start to get good or great at what they are trying to achieve.”

Matsuhita says, “His compassion for all of his students has been nothing short of amazing.”

William Bennett – Business and Professional Studies Instructor of the Year

Bennett was nominated by Automotive Service Technician chair Jerry Viola.  Viola and Bennett have been colleagues for over a decade. Both left ACC a few years ago; Viola to open his own shop and Bennett to retire.  However, each soon returned to teaching in ACC’s automotive program.   

Viola says, “Bill is a bit different because transmission teachers are a rare breed.  He has always been student-centered and involved our students in SkillsUSA, where students can compete on a local, state, and national level.”

Viola is especially appreciative that Bennett helped him make the transition to becoming the Automotive Department’s chair by working extensively with him during the fall semester. During that time, they co-taught the department’s transmissions classes all while mentoring a new faculty mentor. 

 Upon learning he was an Instructor of the Year, Bennett said, “I feel very honored and humbled by this award. There's not a day that goes by at ACC in which I haven't learned something new. Every lesson plan, every task, every homework assignment is geared toward industry standards. We teach students how to make money honestly by repairing vehicles. I would like to thank Jerry Viola for this great honor.”