English Language Arts Education Major

What's your favorite thing about working at Greenville College?

The best thing about GC is the incredible community of people with whom I work. We care about each other and support each others' endeavors-whether personal or professional. You never need to fear backbiting or mean spirited attacks. There are difficult challenges working at a small university, but we manage to work through them together. We may not agree with each other, but we respect each others' opinion. What a blessing!

What attracted you to Language, Literature, and Culture?

As a passionate reader from an early age and coming from a family of teachers, the path was clear-to teach English. Through my higher education studies, though, I realized that I loved learning about language and how/why people learn languages. My focus turned from literature to  second language acquisition. My masters  is in English Language and Literature, but my doctorate is in Second Language Acquisition and Teacher Education. My favorite aspects of SLA include socio-linguistics and cross-cultural studies. I have been teaching English to speakers of other languages for years and have loved every moment of it. Fortunately, I also get to share my passion by training others to teach ESL. The best part is making friends with people from all over the world!

What's your favorite thing about working at Greenville College?

Greenville College has always held a special place in my heart. Before becoming employed with Greenville College, I have worked with GC for many years in a variety of partnerships. In 2009, I accepted the role of Dean of the School of Education and Director of Online Learning and have been pleased to be able to be a part of a wonderful learning organization.

I love the service aspect of my job. It is truly an awesome experience to see that the planning and provisions made for students allow them to be the best they can be. Education, especially when provided from a Christian perspective, does truly change lives. Christian educators have the ability to change the world, one person at a time, through demonstrating God's love in the classroom, whether face-to-face, or online.

What attracted you to the Education Department, and how do you use it outside of the classroom?

I have long felt a call to serve others through education. My passion for working in education with adults came as a volunteer as a literacy tutor for an ESL student. My first ESL student taught me far more than I taught her. And, I am forever grateful to her for broadening my thinking on what education was and what education can afford. It has been my goal since that experience to provide a venue where students could explore and grow in their learning.

I continue to seek new ways to serve others through combinations of Education and Online Learning. I do this through providing presentations at regional and national conferences on a variety of issues in education and the use of technology in teaching and learning. I am also extremely interested in mission work. I have led groups of educators to provide professional development and other service projects to a mission school outside of Mexico City since 1996. It is an awesome experience to be part of God's work through missions.

What's your favorite thing about working at Greenville College?

As an alum, GC has always held a special place in my heart. When I was initially hired on the faculty one of the first things I experienced was the faculty coming together in prayer over the existing/new students and their families. When I was a student here, I hadn't really contemplated that I was entering a community that was already in prayer and expectation over me. Community isn't merely a place to us; it is a way of being with one another.

What attracted you to Education, and how do you use it outside of the classroom?

I was originally interested in entering Medicine. After a practicum experience with a doctor, I felt strongly that God was leading me in another direction. After some time of seeking, I realized that the great pleasure I felt from the experiences I had as a Teaching Assistant (during grad school) and a Lab Assistant (at GC) was an indicator that Education was the path I should take. I have never regretted this decision! I love that I get the opportunity to engage with young people for at least a year, building relationships that equip and empower them for future action. The field of Education has also been very good to me. I have had opportunities to teach in day and boarding schools, in the U.S. and overseas.