Northwestern College | Classic magazine - Winter 2004-05 - Vol. 76 ...

FacultyprofileNorthwestern ClassicPiet Koenerelationships with nativeSpanish speakers. In theSpanish House, which Koeneadvises, students who livetogether and speak Spanishmost of their waking hourshost regular events for▼“He doesn’t just talk aboutthe importance of knowing alanguage in order to loveour neighbor better; he createsopportunities for us toactually do it. He focusesspecial attention on the difficultiesof Hispanics locally,in the U.S. in general, andin Latin America. You can’tcome away from his classeswithout having to strugglewith issues of social justiceand our responsibility asChristians.”Jessica Mueller ’04, San José,Costa Rica▲Hispanics in the area.“Through babysitting,through ESL tutoring, I seethat my students know differentHispanics than Iknow,” says Koene. “That iswhat I would like to see asmuch as possible: theHispanics and the studentslearning from each other. It isnot the idea of going andhelping somebody; slowly afriendship is built, a two-waystreet. By learning Spanish,there is so much you canlearn from other cultures,from other peoples.“Language is not somethingfor the classroom,”Koene says. “Language has tobe a way of life.”Koene and some Spanish students enjoy a light-hearted moment with the Rev. Arturo Gomez, pastor of Amistad Cristiana,and Gomez’ wife, Luz.Students say …“What makes Piet agreat professor is that hecares about his students’lives. So when you’re in hisclass, you want to do yourbest. That’s how it is whenyou know someone’s rootingfor your success.”Mandy Gordon, juniorSpanish and psychologymajor, Jenison, Mich.“He uses his experiencesto teach us beyondwhat any book can. He isalways thinking of differentways of learning andopportunities for us towork with Hispanics in thecommunity. He does somuch more than just teachSpanish; he gets usinvolved and helps us torealize our potential toserve God by using thegifts he has given us.”Tanya Zwald, junior Spanishmajor, Hammond, Wis.“His teaching is thorough,understandable andenjoyable, and his helpfulnessin and out of the classroomis impressive. In all ofhis classes, his love for Godis evident as he helps studentssee the connectionsbetween learning a languageand loving the peoplewho speak it.”Melissa Ingham, seniorSpanish major, Grand Rapids,Mich.16 ▲ Winter 2004-05