Colorado Mountain College eNews

Dedication to students and learning cited

By Mike McKibbin

ASPEN – Caryn Goralka’s eyes popped wide open – twice – as her students applauded.

Goralka, a science and biology instructor at Colorado Mountain College in Aspen, was astonished Monday to hear she’d been chosen as both the Aspen Campus and collegewide adjunct, or part-time, faculty of the year.

Each year, educators from the college’s seven campuses stretching across nine counties in north-central Colorado can nominate one full-time and one adjunct instructor for faculty of the year honors. Then senior administrators select a college-wide honoree in each of the two categories.

This year’s collegewide full-time faculty of the year is Todd Rymer, director of culinary education at the Culinary Institute, located at the Vail-Eagle Valley Campus in Edwards.

The highest honor bestowed on faculty members at the college, the award recognizes demonstrated excellence in setting and achieving high academic standards, promoting student success and providing community leadership.

Making the announcement during a surprise visit to Goralka’s Biology 202 class Jan. 25 was college President Dr. Stan Jensen, who presented Goralka with a silver eagle statue to commemorate her honor.

Accompanying Jensen was Joe Maestas, chief executive officer of the campus, who presented the stunned instructor with a $600 check to use for professional development. In addition, Margaret Maxwell, Aspen Campus instructional chair, gave her a plaque recognizing the campus honor.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said a beaming Goralka. “I think it’s really a privilege to teach here at Colorado Mountain College. I try to approach it as a team working together with the students. Sometimes I think I get more out of coming to class than they do.”

“She’s just an amazing example of the kind of impact a truly involved instructor has on students,” said Maxwell, who nominated Goralka for the honor.

Goralka, who lives in Snowmass Village, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal physiology at the University of California at Davis, where she also did graduate studies in neurophysiology. She taught at the middle and high school levels, then started teaching biology at Colorado Mountain College in 2008.

“When we moved here, this sounded like a great position for a mom with three kids who wanted to teach,” Goralka said.

Students appreciate toughness, encouragement

In her nomination, Maxwell recalled how a potential nursing student told her of a very hard and demanding instructor, and the student truly didn’t know if she could pass the class.

“She told me that Caryn’s academic rigor was ‘scary,’ but that she was learning from that class just what it will take to become a nurse,” Maxwell wrote. “She said that because of Caryn, she had the newfound belief that she could succeed and achieve her goals, no matter how hard the job.”

Maxwell said written comments from some of Goralka’s students all spoke to her high academic standards and her “ability to make science real for them.”

One student noted, “I have not been in school for 20 years, and (Goralka’s) encouraging manner of teaching is extremely motivating.”

“She has made a subject like biology interesting and obtainable,” another wrote. “She has given me the confidence to continue my schooling.”

“She truly enjoys teaching and is very approachable,” was another student observation. “Teaching is her priority and she is easy to understand and organized in her teaching methods.”

Another student described Goralka as “energetic and fun,” also appreciating her clear explanations and offers to take time outside of class to answer questions.

Maxwell recalled seeing Goralka in the basement science lab, working with students after class on a consistent basis.

“Many adjuncts perhaps do not recognize the opportunity to ‘join in’ and participate in the culture here,” Maxwell noted. “Caryn is exceptional in that students come first AND she has the desire to be a productive and professional member of the CMC family.”

Goralka has also served as a mentor to other science faculty and consulted on a science-lab remodeling project at the Aspen Campus.