From college dropout to professor
Metro professor discovers ability to teach, passion for youth
by Jonathan Kuenne
The Metropolitan

Diane Matuschka, Metro professor, small business owner and Sunday school teacher, found her excitement in teaching and in youth. 

Diane has been teaching at the college level for seven years.  She began at the University of Northern Colorado and brought her skills to Metro in 2001. 

“People have told me I have a gift of teaching,” Matuschka said. 

“I graduated from High School when I was 17, then went on to college,” Matuschka said.  She said she stopped taking classes at the University of Nebraska at Kearney and thought she would never go back. 

“I decided I didn’t want to go to college, then went on this, like, 15-year odyssey where I learned how take care of thoroughbred race horses,” she said. 

Diane raced her horses from coast to coast — from Nebraska to Florida to the Meadowlands in New Jersey, to San Francisco to Arkansas.

Diane never thought she would be a teacher. 

“I never thought I would go back to college,” Matuschka said. The idea of teaching at the college level was “absolutely ridiculous” to her.

In 1987, Diane sold her 20 head of horses, packed her bags, and moved to Colorado to take care of her sister, who needed help with her kids, in Boulder, Colo.

“I think God had a plan for me,” she said. “I think I am here for a reason — to be here at Metro today.  I moved in with (my sister) and her kids — I didn’t know anything about kids, so I started taking classes at Front Range Community College and decided that I like to learn,” Matuschka said.

Diane continued her journey of learning with an associate of arts degree, then continued on to earn her bachelor’s, and finally her master’s.

Photo by - Will Moore In addition to being an entrepreneur, Diane Matuschka is a professor in the Metro department of communications arts and sciences.

“It was there that somebody said ‘You’d be a great teacher,’” Matuschka said.  “I started teaching public speaking courses up at UNC.” 

Soon after, Matuschka took a part-time job teaching.  “People have to tell you what you’re good at, I guess.  You don’t recognize it yourself,” Diane said. 

In 2001, Matusch

ka brought her expertise to Metro.  During her first two semesters, Matuschka was only teaching public speaking, but she knew she was more versatile.

“I know I’m a good speech teacher, but I know I have more to offer,” Matuschka said. 

Last spring, she began teaching more classes in the speech communication field, including communication in the courtroom, advanced public speaking, and psychology of communication. 

“My real love actually lies in rhetoric,” Matuschka said.  “I love argumentation and debate.” 

If you have had Matuschka for a class, you know that her energy and passion for students to learn are not lacking in her classroom. 

“I love teaching public speaking because of when people come in they’re just absolutely petrified,” she said. “I have had students who I have literally stood beside as they are giving their speech because they are so petrified to be up there by themselves.”

“I love teaching people skills that will enhance their communication and take them through the rest of their lives,” she added. 

What is exciting for Matuschka is when a student comes to her with a problem, seeking advice. 

“When a student comes to me and tells me, ‘I’m having trouble,’ then I ask them if I can pray with them and they say ‘Yes’ – that really is exciting!  I think my ministry is on college campuses.” 

In addition to teaching, Diane has a business named, Just the Answer. 

“I do everything from taxes to toilets,” she said.  “I take care of houses, pets, children — I’ve created a little world for myself where I am indispensable to about 10 different families.”

“I really like hanging with kids,” Diane said.  “I think that is where my passion lies – in youth – helping them understand who they are and who God created them to be.  Matushcka also teaches Sunday school at her church, and recently Diane attended a purity retreat. “We called it a purity retreat.  It was helping young ladies understand that they were more important than they seem to think they are.  They are pearls and they don’t realize it!” 

In June, Diane will be rearranging her life and moving to Florida, where she will continue with her business, Just the Answer, with a friend. She said she has not ruled out teaching in Florida but does not plan on it right away.