The Price is Right – HutchCC Biology Instructor Continuing Family Lineage in Teaching

By Cathlyna Theriot
Staff Writer
IG: @th3riotnix

Kristen Price, one of Hutchinson Community Colleges biology instructors, has only been a part of the Dragon family for about two years. Though she hasn’t been here long, her role has already left a mark on the hearts of her students.

Price comes from a long line of teachers, spanning from her grandmother, to marrying into a family of teachers. With the knowledge of all the teachers around her, she’s had the “ultimate combo” of influence, being able to pull little things from each of her inspirations.

Two of her biggest inspirations are her mother, who was her high school science teacher, and her husband, who’s been teaching for six years.

“I’ve had a front row seat to how deeply they care for their students and how hard they work to create the best classes possible,” Price said.

Two decisions she made are what resulted in her becoming an instructor at HutchCC – wanting to improve the world in some way, and wanting to be closer to home as she had to travel for most of her previous job.     

“It is always encouraging seeing a student get it for the first time when learning a new topic or be inspired to aim for a new career or internship,” Price said. “Everyone comes with their own set of struggles to college, and it was a welcome challenge to try to find a way to help them all succeed.”

Teaching has challenged her in many ways.

“I have been told throughout life that I can explain things well, but teaching semester-long classes has helped me learn what to look for in people that are confused, tired, zoned-out, etc.,” Price said.

Teaching has allowed Price the opportunity to learn and grow, just as her students have in her classes.

Freshman Lidia Alfonso-Barahona was enrolled in Price’s Biology 1 course in the fall, and she’ll never forget it.

“She was always welcoming to any questions I had, regardless of if it was related to what we were learning in class” Alfonso-Barahona said.

Though there have been challenges, she’s glad to have been able to grow alongside her students, and to gain skills she’ll keep with her for the rest of her life.

“Overall, teaching at (HutchCC) has been a great experience. I have enjoyed the students a lot, have been challenged, and was given a chance to work close to home. I’m very happy that I took this job two years ago,” Price said.

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