(PHOENIX, Ariz., May 17, 2004) – Phoenix College Math instructor, Lucia Kisiel and Liberal Arts instructor, Dr. Don Miehls were recently announced as the 2003-2004 Distinguished Teaching Award recipients for their contributions to both Phoenix College and their students.

Both Kisiel and Miehls were nominated by their students and received a Distinguished Teaching Award plaque, as well as an expensed paid trip to a professional conference and/or seminar (up to $1,500) where they will have an opportunity to share their teaching methods and techniques with other faculty members.

Kisiel, who literally glows with the mere mention of the word "teaching," cannot imagine herself doing anything else. For four years, she has been with Phoenix College teaching a wide-range of Mathematical disciplines spanning from basic Arithmetic to Calculus. Before PC, she taught at high schools around the Valley and spent two years in the Peace Corps teaching in Western Samoa.

Kisiel’s passion for teaching Math is obvious as she talks about her previous experience.

"If you love what you do and truly love your subject…then it comes across to the students," she admits.

Like Kisiel, Miehls is just as passionate about teaching.

"I truly enjoy enlightening young minds…lifting the darkness," said Miehls. "When you get a student who is interested in the things he or she ought to be interested in, it really sparks something in you when you see their eyes light up."

Miehls has taught philosophy, logic and world religions at PC for nine years now. Before coming to PC he taught at the University of Dallas and Texas A&M. Although he adores teaching and loves students, he was not always convinced that teaching was the right career for him. He describes himself as a "Gooney bird," a bird that has an awkward demeanor when learning to fly; however, after takeoff the bird soars with grace and ease.

When asked what advice he would give to fellow instructors and students, he eagerly encouraged them to "keep learning or read a book."

Additionally, these recipients will participate in a new faculty orientation meeting, where they will share teaching strategies and will also serve a three-year term on the Distinguished Teaching Award selection committee.

Previous recipients have included Mickie Bond (Biology), Dr. Jeanne Fitzgerald (Math), Delia Escalante (Foreign Languages), Linda Tramel (Child Family Studies), Dr. Albert Celoza (Liberal Arts), Cindy Brennan (Gerontology), Dr. Richard Malena (Culture & Applied Social Sciences, Ken Roberts (Applied Arts & Human Sciences), Liz O’Brien (Communication, American Sign Language, Theatre & Film), Jed Allen (English/Creative Writing), Tom Adamson (Math), Deborah Ermoian (Math), and Pam Rogers (English/ESL).

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