Physics Education Major

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

Greenville College truly promotes academic freedom. As faculty, we are encouraged to present all theories and viewpoints to the students and let them use their God-given intellect and reasoning skills, along with the Holy Spirit's guidance, to develop their own well-informed perspectives. We are not afraid of truth and are happy to let it guide our academic curiosity. Secular institutions, although they espouse this ideal, do not practice this as well as some Christian universities.

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

I greatly enjoy using mathematical and computational tools to uncover the hidden laws of nature. The challenges that arise in theoretical and computational physics can be handled with creativity and problem solving. I enjoy using these types of thinking skills when unraveling the beautiful laws of God's ordered physical universe. The disciplines that I develop from this search are carried over to my other interests outside of the classroom, such as running, grilling, and movie-watching.

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.