EDUCATION
COME DISCOVER A PLACE WHERE YOU BELONG...
STERLING COLLEGE IS A PLACE... FOR THINKERS
THE STERLING TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM TRANSFORMS SC STUDENTS INTO TEACHERS WHO ARE COMPETENT IN THEIR FIELD AND LEADERS IN THEIR SCHOOLS. Graduates from our program strive to change the world one classroom at a time, student by student. We believe teaching is a calling and that God has gifted us with skills and talents to minister to Pre-K -12 students. Our department will help you develop those skills as you spend time in real classrooms, engaging with professionals in your field and working with students. STEP OFFERS ENDORSEMENTS IN ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND PRE-K - 12 CONTENT AREAS
Our graduates are caring and committed to seeing children succeed both academically and in life. If you are interested in making a difference in students’ lives, we would love to have you join our program.
THE IDEAL TEACHER CANDIDATE As you move through the program, you will be challenged to become an IDEAL servant-leader educator who is called, caring, competent and committed. We believe the character traits of an IDEAL teacher are Integrity, Dependability, Effective Communication, an Appropriate Attitude and Leadership. These professional dispositions are essential aspects of teaching.
DEVELOPING YOUR TEACHING SKILLS Becoming a great teacher requires diverse experiences. Our program offers numerous opportunities for field work, beginning your very first year. These experiences provide a broad range of real-life opportunities which strengthen your abilities as a teacher. You will observe classrooms in varied school settings, complete field work with special needs students and gifted students, and work with students from various racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds. But you won’t just observe classrooms. You will work with your professors and public school teachers to create effective lessons that will reach a diverse population of students. From planning to assessment, you will learn and practice the skills it takes to become an excellent teacher. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COURSEWORK As you grow in your content knowledge, you will take professional development classes to help you learn the art and science behind teaching. Combined, these classes will shape you into a competent and effective teacher. STEP will guide you through three levels of classes. Level I will include foundational classes and general methods. You will learn content-specific methods in Level II, and Level III will be an entire semester of clinical teaching in the classroom. Our STEP faculty will actively support you, encourage you to assume greater teaching responsibilities, and ask you to become leaders within the department.
CONTENT AREAS & ENDORSEMENTS ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Teach in your own K-6 classroom. Learn about teaching language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education at the elementary level.
SECONDARY EDUCATION LICENSURE Teach a specific subject in a 6-12 classroom. Along with professional education classes, you will major in the content area of your choice to become highly qualified in your subject. Content areas available for licensure include: Biology, Chemistry, English, History and Government, Mathematics and Speech and Theatre.
PRE-K - 12 LICENSURE Teach in your own P-12 classroom. Licensure in one of the following subjects allows you to teach all levels from preschool to grade 12. Content areas available for this licensure include: Art, Health, Physical Education and Music.
ADAPTIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADD-ON ENDORSEMENT This added endorsement allows licensed teachers to work with High Incidence Disabilities (Adaptive) students. This includes students identified with intellectual disabilities, behavior disorders and learning disabilities. You will either be endorsed for grades K-6 or 6-12, depending on the content area you have chosen.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH?
With eleven content areas to choose from and one add-on endorsement, we have something for just about every prospective teacher.
A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE STEP has a tradition of excellent job placements. Our candidates are highly prepared, and have several interview opportunities provided by the department. In fact, clinical teachers often have signed contracts prior to commencement ceremonies. Following completion of the program, you will be commissioned for service as you head out to your first teaching job. This ceremony honors your preparation as an educator, recognizes your dedication and hard work, and sends you forth into the classroom with prayers and blessings. STEP has a track record of developing teachers who are outstanding in their field. Since 2009, four Sterling College alumni have received the Kansas Horizon Award, a recognition given each spring to 31 first-year teachers in the state of Kansas by the Kansas State Department of Education. Each semester two Sterling College students receive a Teacher of Promise award from the KSDE, naming them exemplary teaching candidates. This honor allows them to participate in a workshop with Kansas’s top teachers and meet superintendents and principals from schools across the state. This day of enrichment and networking builds your resume to help you stand out amongst your peers.
MEET OUR FACULTY... GIDGET DINKEL, INSTRUCTOR OF EDUCATION Gidget Dinkel has eight years of experience as an elementary education teacher. While teaching in her own classroom, she worked with several English Language Learners. She also has experience as a reading mentor with kindergarten through 6th grade students. In addition to working with elementary schools in Kansas and Texas, she has also taught in the Upward Bound program at Kansas State University. Dinkel has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Kansas Wesleyan University, an M.S. in Education from Baker University and an endorsement in English as a Second Language from Kansas State University. TERRI GAEDDERT, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION Terri Gaeddert has worked in education for 27 years. She taught math at the high school level for 11 years before beginning her career as an education consultant and trainer. While teaching, she also spent time coaching volleyball, basketball and track. Gaeddert is co-president of the Kansas Association of Private Colleges of Teacher Education, is an institutional representative on the Executive Committee for the Kansas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, and is co-chair for the KSDE Math Program Standards Revision Committee. Gaeddert earned her B.S. in Education from Chadron State College with endorsements in mathematics, computer science and coaching. She received her M.A. in Teaching from Friends University and is working toward her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Wichita State University.
FRANK LEONE, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION Frank Leone has over 30 years of service in education. He taught grades 4-6 for seven years as well as various social studies classes at the junior high and high school levels. Leone has served as an administrator for 27 years at both public and private Christian schools, overseeing K-6 and K-12 schools. He has also served as curriculum director. Leone earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Iowa and his M.S. in Education Administration from Pittsburg State University. DEB MILLIKAN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION Deb Millikan served in elementary education for 19 years before coming to Sterling College. In addition to her classroom experience, she served as a Kagen Cooperative Learning District Trainer, a math specialist and consultant, and as an adjunct instructor at Friends University. Millikan has designed and presented educational workshops and in-services for 12 years. She earned her B.S. in Education from East Tennessee State University and her M.A. in Education and K-12 Instructional Technology Integration from Kansas State University. SPENCER WAGLEY, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION Spencer Wagley taught English, theatre, speech and debate at the secondary level for eight years in Texas. He and his students produced multiple shows, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson,” “The Crucible” and “The Glass Menagerie.” He has a B.S. in Education from East Texas Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from HardinSimmons University. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Education through Capella University.
BECOME AN IDEAL TEACHER. At Sterling College, we care about you and your future students. That is why we believe learning about education in a Christ-centered environment where you can receive individual attention is the best choice for your future. From planning great lessons to managing your classroom, the professors at SC will prepare you to teach the next generation from an eternal perspective. We hope you will prayerfully consider Sterling College. Schedule a visit day with your counselor and come see for yourself what makes Sterling College the best choice for your future. Called. Caring. Competent. Committed.
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