Barton Profile: Deanna Stevens
(Story and Photo by Joe Vinduska)
Deanna Stevens - Business Computer Management Instructor
Hometown:
Lacrosse, KS
How long have you worked at Barton Community College?
Four years.
Where were you employed before working for Barton?
Kansas Legal Services as a case worker.
Why did you choose to work at Barton?
My all-time goal was to be a college instructor so that is why I applied.
What is your favorite part about your job?
I enjoy working with the students. I actually like working with technology too because I’m kind of a nerd, but I definitely enjoy the social aspect.
What is the most challenging part?
Working with the students. It is the most fun, but it can also be the most challenging. They have bad days just like we do. I just take the good with the bad.
How do you spend time outside of work?
I spend a ton of time with my kids. My 9-year-old daughter is getting more and more active. We just kind of follow her to where she needs to go! I also like to run, cook, and draw.
What is something people might not know about you?
I have an identical twin sister. We don’t look that much alike though!
What about business interests you?
I really like the marketing and more of the “techie” side of advertising, so I like a lot of web developing.
Ever had anything embarrassing happen while teaching that you care to share?
I lose my voice at least once every semester, and I squeak when I lose my voice, so the students literally laugh at me throughout the entire period so I embarrass myself for about a week until it’s over. The students really get a kick out of it!
Do a lot of kids try to text in your classes? What do you do to combat this?
Not really. We actually use cellphones and some of their technology in class, but if it becomes a problem, I just tell them to put it away. I’ve never had anybody tell me no when I’ve had to ask.
I understand you have some young ones, at what age are you going to let them get a cell phone?
If it was up to my daughter, she would have had one two years ago! She will maybe get one when she gets into junior high. I figure there should be a real reason instead of just that she wants one!
The students are back on campus, and I see some of them more dressed up than others. During your college days, were you one that dressed up, or were you a shorts and T-shirt type of student?
I was always dressed up because I had to work, and they required me to be dressed up. If I had my choice I would have been much more relaxed. You would have seen me around with a sweatshirt and shorts on.
What do you think about the different wardrobe choices students make?
I think it shows their personality, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it if a student comes to class more dressed down as long as whatever they wear is appropriate. However, I think taking a shower is essential! Do your laundry, and take a shower!
What was the easiest class you took when you were in college?
I was kind of an overachiever. Everybody in my department will laugh if you put this in the profile. I really didn’t have time to take that many electives. I did take an art class that I definitely did not need, but it was fun.
What was the most difficult?
This is going to sound bad, but economics. I just had to take so much of it and the classes are so detailed that it was hard to study for.
One class you wish you would have taken?
I wish I would have taken something like kickboxing, or underwater scuba diving or some other crazy class because there are classes for things that you may never take the time to try later in life.
Now that you are older and wiser, if you could tell your college-student-self one thing, what would it be?
Make as many friends as possible and get into different social groups, so you kind of know what is out there. It will make college more fun.
I’ll admit that I used to skip class OCCASIONALLY when I was in college. I know my teachers were not a fan of this. From an educator’s standpoint, why is it important for students to show up?
You can’t learn everything out of the text. Listening to other people’s experiences puts a whole different perspective on the way you see something and helps build relationships with your instructor and your classmates.
