Faculty Spotlight - Benjamin Kassebaum

Lea la historia de Benjamin en español.

What do you teach at EvCC?

I currently teach GED preparation primarily for Spanish-speaking individuals. I prepare students to take all four sections of the exam by focusing mainly on learning mathematics and language arts. I integrate the science and social studies areas into math and language arts sections.

Tell us a little about your professional background.

I earned Bachelors degrees in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Washington. My Spanish proficiency was nurtured by two foreign study experiences, first as a high school Rotary exchange student in Peru and then a year of foreign study in San Luis, Argentina as part of my UW program.  A few years later I decided to return to school at Everett Community College to earn the prerequisites for an engineering degree. I completed a variety of classes in mathematics, the sciences, and even economics. I also joined the EvCC tutoring center staff as a Spanish tutor. Along the way, I found that I enjoyed teaching more than the idea of engineering. Thus, I turned my sights on a Master’s degree in English with a specialization in ESL, which I earned online from Arkansas Tech University.  At the same time, my tutoring at EvCC transmogrified into teaching Spanish language GED classes in 2016 with the Transitional Studies department. 

Why did you choose EvCC?

One minute I was a student, Phi Theta Kappa officer, and tutor at Everett Community College. The next minute with the encouragement and mentorship of Deborah Newbury I became part of the instructional staff. I just kind of fell into it as a summer replacement position and have loved teaching here every minute since.
 
I must add that one of the reasons I have appreciated EvCC as a student, a tutor and now as an instructor is its focus on diversity. Growing up in a primarily Latino community in eastern Washington and then spending time in South America has helped me appreciate the benefits of multiculturalism. Although I did not originally select EvCC for this reason, its efforts to create an inclusive learning and working environment through its 5 Dimensions of Equity program has encouraged me to stick around and become part of the process by working with underserved populations in the Transitional Studies department. It is the place I truly want to be.

Benjamin Kassebaum with his fiance Eliana, a psychologist who works in a special education center.

How has the pandemic affected you? How are you doing? 

The pandemic has been tough for me as it has for all of us. I continue to follow my routines. I think it is important to try and do all the same things we would have done before as much as possible while still keeping an eye on health and safety of our communities. Fortunately, I have many students that I am helping learn at this juncture and this surely helps. 

How have you adapted your curriculum and teaching methods to support students who are learning from home?

I haven’t had to adapt my curriculum too much. My classes have been taught online for some time now. I would say that I have been more flexible with students and we have practiced better forms of communications to make sure that we are completing all of our tasks to the best of our abilities. With the pandemic, my students are facing more challenges and stresses than before. This means I have to listen better in order to adapt my expectations with their realities.

What advice do you have for students who are taking online or livestream classes for the first time?

Find the time to talk to your teacher. That may mean sending and receiving many emails or setting up a one to one meeting in Zoom if that works for both of you. Show us that you are taking a proactive approach to your education. It goes a long way. Communication is the most important thing about taking an online class. That being said, if you don’t understand a technological portion of the course, don’t stop working on the course, express your concerns and find help. Most everything can be figured out with good communication.

What do you like to do for fun? 

So many things. Good food is at the top of the list, both preparing and eating it. I also enjoy a good board game, going on walks and being with the people and pets that I love. 

What is your favorite snack?  

My favorite snack is dinner!

Anything else you’d like to add?

A final couple of words of advice for all students:

First: Work hard and communicate with your teachers. We are here to help you succeed.

Secondly: I know school can be hard. I am now primarily a math and language arts teacher. However, as a student in high school, I was the worst Spanish speaker you ever met. And math? Forget about it. I found it incomprehensible and didn’t begin to understand it until I was an adult returning to college for additional education. What I can say about this is math and Spanish were two of my worst subjects and now they are my best. This shows you we can do whatever we put our minds to. We just need to aim for comprehension and understanding. I believe in you.