8 Pierce Teachers to Be Listed in ‘Who’s Who’

Eight Pierce College instructors nominated by former students will be included in the book “Who’s Who Among American Teachers,” a nationwide collection of educators who made a difference in a student’s life.

The instructors are David Phoenix of Woodland Hills, special education; Lyn Clark of Northridge, business; Kathy Daruty of Malibu, business administration; Aris Hovsepian of Northridge, a tennis coach; Edmont Katz of Bell Canyon, English as a second language; Dominique Merrill of North Hollywood, modern languages; Stephen Overall of West Los Angeles, English literature and composition; and Dean Pickard of Calabasas, philosophy.

The instructors said teaching is also a learning experience, a continual challenge to adapt to students’ learning styles and get them to go beyond what they think they can accomplish.

“The mark of excellence in a teacher is the highly successful transmission of an attitude of wonderment and enthusiasm toward learning,” Pickard said in a prepared statement. “As teachers we are no more than fellow travelers with those we call ‘students.’ Pity the one who thinks he or she has stopped being a student.”

“Who’s Who Among American Teachers” is published annually by Educational Communications Inc. The students who nominated the instructors are themselves listed in the company’s book “The National Dean’s List.”