Teacher opens up new avenues

There were times in auto shop when Paul Potvin had a conversation with his teacher Ken Kunz -- a man he considers a friend -- and didn't realize he'd learned something until he had walked away.

"He befriends you, and then he teaches you," Potvin said. "So you're learning without even realizing it."

The automotive technology program at Waubonsee Community College recently won the Award of Excellence from the Automotive Industry Performance Council. It ranks the program as the best in the nation -- and that includes 4-year schools as well.

Those who know Kunz, an associate professor who teaches engine, transmission and air conditioning classes, aren't surprised by the award.

Potvin came into the program convinced he would be an auto mechanic in two years. Now he has a bachelor's degree and teaches automotive and small engine classes at the Fox Valley Career Center in Maple Park.

It's a common theme with Kunz's students -- planning to work as a mechanic and then deciding on a bachelor's degree or different career in teaching, sales or management in the auto field.

Kunz said he wants to focus on giving students as many options as they can for choosing a career.

"Fixing cars can be a great career, but there are many, many avenues within the automotive field," he said. "Not all students know what's available to them, they only know what's around their community."

Kunz, 41, took a similar path himself. After he graduated from Joliet Junior College, he worked in an auto shop for seven years before being asked to teach a class at Lincoln Technical Institute.

A teaching degree wasn't required -- he passed proficiency tests to teach the course -- and he decided he wanted to continue teaching.

He attended Governors State University for his bachelor's degree and Olivet Nazarene University for a masters in curriculum and instruction.

Kunz grew up in Lockport and now lives in Minooka with his wife and three daughters. He refers to an exchange student from Estonia they are still close to as a fourth daughter.

In his spare time, he goes boating, fishing and snowmobiling.

He has been teaching automotive classes at Waubonsee for 12 years. He also is a sponsor for Waubonsee's Skills USA group, an annual vocational competition.

He's established a scholarship for daytime and nighttime students each year and estimates he's secured about $200,000 of donations of cars, tools and supplies.

In 2006, he was awarded the college's Faculty of the Year award, an honor he said pales in comparison to the program's this year.

"I am a competitive person, and I always want to be known as the best," he said. "I want to treat my students as I would have want to be treated, and help them find the best path for their career."

He also certifies other colleges' automotive programs for the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. He is always looking for ideas to improve Waubonsee's program.

"It's very beneficial," he said. "You can see what's the best in each one and use that to enhance our program."

When Oswego East High School was being built, automotive instructor Guy Tiberio, another of Kunz's students, helped design the auto shop to look like a "mini-Waubonsee."

He also tries to be a good listener and help out when he can, things he learned from Kunz, Tiberio said.

"Out of all my teachers, he cared the most about me individually, as a person," Tiberio said. "He was very good at making sure to do everything he could to make me a success, not just as a student in general."

As for the program now, Kunz would like to be able to expand the program in scope and in space -- the 80 or so spots each semester fill up quickly.

"The best thing is to see students succeed," Kunz said. "I want our students to know we're always there for them."