Photo by: Tiffany Nunez
This is the philosophy behind The Starfish Award, an award established to recognize a faculty member who has made a difference in a student’s life. Students nominate faculty members who are committed to the ideals of education, and who have a strong nurturing commitment to helping students.
This year’s Starfish Award was awarded to Joe Arispe, Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics. Nineteen other teachers at Palo Alto College were nominated for The Starfish Award. They included: Doroteo Chavarria, Math; Ismael Dovalina, Psychology; Margarita Fresquez, Math; Richard Jenkins, English; Diana Lerma, Reading; Dr. Herb Mann, English; Kenneth Magee, History; Gerardo Mechler, Student Learning Assistance Center; Steve Ochoa, Math; Therese Palacios, Administrative Computer Technology; Janet Rangel, Counseling; Dale Robinson, Chemistry; Alfred Sandana, Math; Jennifer Scheidt, English; Michael Seiferth, English; Mario Solis, Math; Roy Tucker, Math; and John Ybanez, Government.
Joe Arispe said he was surprised when he found out he won the award. “It’s a great feeling,” he said. “I was speechless.”
Joe Arispe served 26 years in the Air Force as an airport manager, and he spent three years as a training instructor at Lackland Air Force Base. Arispe has a bachelor’s in Business Management with a minor in Computer Science. He gained teaching experience through Region 20’s certification program, which requires at least a bachelor’s degree and a hands-on internship.
Joe Arispe has been an instructor at Palo Alto since 1992, teaching returning adults and at-risk students.
Arispe’s first teaching experience here at Palo Alto was instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL), General Educational Development (GED), and Citizenship (CP). He had students from all over Central America, and South America. Through the program, students are taught to read, write and communicate effectively in English.
“We taught them how to order from a restaurant, shop at a grocery store, fill out an application, and how to just say “hello,” said Arispe.
After they’ve mastered the language, students can obtain their GED and then citizenship. Some students were professionals in their native countries, but if not, then instructors like Arispe helped them enroll in college.
Arispe has also worked with at-risk students. He has seen students really turn their lives around.
“Just trying to build up their self-esteem is the hardest thing, because they have been knocked down so many times,” said Arispe. “They’re smart kids that have never been given the chance or encouragement to show their potential, and we’re here to let them know we care.”
Joe Arispe knows what it’s like to be discouraged. “In high school I was told I would never succeed in life, and that I would never amount to anything,” he said. “I want my students to know that they can succeed. The only thing stopping them is themselves.”
Three years ago, Arispe filled an opening as an Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics. He helps students learn math by showing them how it is used in everyday life in an environment that isn’t threatening.
“I tell my students, ‘If you have questions, just ask.’ My purpose here is for you to learn the material,” he said.
Arispe can also be found after class tutoring students who need extra help.
“He encourages us to go to tutoring if we feel that we need to,” said Cindy Sepulveda, a Palo Alto student. “ He is really patient, and he takes his time. If you don’t understand something, he will go over it with you again and again until you do understand.”
“Mr. Arispe was a substitute for our class. He was very cool. He made sure we knew that it was okay to ask questions, and he showed me a better way to work the problems,” said Clint Taylor, a Communications major.
Arispe enjoys working with the other teachers at Palo Alto.
“I really admire my colleagues,” he said. “They’re extremely supportive of me, and they treat me as an individual.”
Arispe is currently taking classes in hopes of obtaining a master’s in Mathematics.
The Starfish Award is awarded to teachers who have dedicated themselves to helping students achieve their goals.
“Joe Arispe is very dedicated to his work,” said Julie Kern, Chair of the Math Department. “Even though he is a part-time teacher, he spends a lot of his time after class and in the SLAC lab helping students. He takes his job very seriously.”