I am very proud of this recognition and even prouder of my approximately 170 dual enrollment students.”

Maren Wenz | Shadow Ridge High School English teacher

Maren Wenz, an English teacher at Shadow Ridge High School, was named a Rio Salado Outstanding Adjunct Faculty recipient for 2023.

Wenz was honored for her efforts as an adjunct faculty member at Rio Salado through dual enrollment classes offered at Shadow Ridge. Rio Salado College recognizes outstanding adjunct faculty members and instructors on an annual basis for excellence and contributions in teaching and learning.

Wenz is certified to teach dual enrollment English courses at Shadow Ridge and has taught ENG 101/102 in the district since 2018. Dual enrollment opportunities are available at all four district high schools, and students have the ability to take courses in which they may receive credit in high school as well as earning college credit.

Maren was nominated by Rio Salado Faculty Chair Jennifer Shantz for her devotion and celebration of students and her ability to mentor fellow teachers.

“Since her students are made to feel at home, they take risks to venture on paths less traveled in academic discourse, without fear of being misconstrued, and their engagement in content discussion is unparalleled,” Shantz wrote in her nomination letter.

“Maren is always ready to share her knowledge and expertise with other instructors, and intentionally reaches out to new instructors to share samples of her class content.”

Wenz has been an educator in Arizona for 29 years, teaching students in the Dysart Unified School District for 20 years.

“I am very proud of this recognition and even prouder of my approximately 170 dual enrollment students that I have the true blessing and pleasure of working with each year in the Dysart Unified School District,” Wenz said.

Rio Salado College was established in 1978. It offers affordable access to higher education through college bridge pathways, community-based learning, corporate and government partnerships, early college initiatives, online learning and university transfer.