Inspire, Fall 1994

Specializing In Education erri Van Beveren'88 received a master of arts in education from Regent University in Virginia Beach,Virginia,itiMay ofthis year. But Terri has followed a non-traditional path in the area ofeducation by specializing in learning disabilities and reading.She completed her master of arts degree in two years while continuing to teach at the Discovery Center for Norfolk Christian School in Norfolk, Virginia. During the spring of 1988,she received her first exposure to learning-disabled students while doing her Cedarville student teaching at Christiansen Academy in Venezuela.That is where Terri learned about the National Institute for Learning Disabilities(NILD). NILD is a Christian-founded organization specializing in perceptual deficit training using one-on-one therapy with average to above average students who struggle with learning disabilities. After going back to Venezuela for two consecutive summers oftraining with NILD and teaching at Dayton Christian School for a year,Terri met with the director of NILD.Terri states that through all these events she knew God was directing and preparing her for a teaching ministry with learning disabled students. During the summer of 1994, Terri had the opportunity to co-teach the NILD curriculum in Springfield, Massachusetts. "Expect God To Act" is the motto of NILD,and Terri holds to that philosophy on a daily basis as she spends two and three hours with her students in individual sessions."As a Christian,I am able to build relationships which open doors for discipleship. Since we work on weaknesses in learning, it is easier for my students to open up with me and work on spiritual weaknesses." Terri plans to continue her work at mu? and the Discovery Center through the 1994-95 school year. Dad Volunteers To Teach Kids Computers teve'77 and Denise Gidley noticed a big difference in their daughter Angela's interest in computers after she took an after-school computer workshop.Ofcourse, part ofthe reason may be that Steve volunteered to teach the workshop at Western Row Elementary School in Mason, Ohio. After enrolling in the first session,fifth-grader Angela helped her dad as an aide in the next session. Steve is a network analyst with Community Mutual Insurance in Cincinnati,Ohio,and has extensive experience training adults to use computers. He volunteered because,"It doesn't seem to matter what area you get into, you need to know computers to advance yourself. Students who know them best are going to have an edge."Steve found that the elementary students learned faster than adults."Watching the kids learn wasfun. They had no preconceived notions of what certain keys should do,unlike adults who already know how to type. But keeping the kids' attention was tougher." After teaching 64 children in afternoon sessions,Steve is content now to work with Angela and her three brothers, Jeremy,Benjamin,and Andrew,on their home computer. Ministering With Words In Ilungary 'I Cedarville College Department Of Education Alumni And Friends Statistics Assist Cedarville Debbie Rotman,senior elementary education major(right), congratulates a Hungarian student who completed her English course at Debrecen Baptist Church. or the third consecutive summer,the Debrecen Baptist Church in Debrecen,Hungary invited a Cedarville College Missionary Internship(MIS) team to teach English to Hungarians.This has been an effective outreach program ofthe church.The goal is to reach nationals who would not otherwise come to the church but who wish to take advantage ofthe opportunity to learn or refine their English as a second language. This year's Cedarville team found their students friendly and eager to learn.The Hungarian participants included adults, teens,and upper elementary children,and some ofthose who completed the first four-week session returned for the second three-week session. A few ofthe Hungarian students who were Christians shared in class and even initiated conversations as the Lord provided opportunities for witness. Dr.Merlin Ager,chair of Cedarville's Department of Education,led the eight-member team ofstudents who did the actual teaching. A typical school day consisted of morning and evening small classes and a large group meeting.Team members incorporated Scripture,Bible stories,choruses,and skits. Debbie Rotman,senior elementary education major, noted that one especially meaningful activity for her was learning John 3:16 in Hungarian as her students learned the verse in English.The team also led activities at extracurricular game times and met with youth groups. As a result ofthe teams' ministry,four Hungarians accepted the Lord as their Savior."The next day," Debbie explains,"we talked about growing as a Christian.One ofthe boys who had accepted the Lord said that he had already told somebody about Christ the day before!" Note: Thanks to CedarNet,the College's campuswide computer network,and its connection with Internet, the worldwide information highway, this MISteam to Hungary was thefirst to have the opportunity to communicate with theirfamilies through electronic mail(e-mail). Team members Debbie Rotman and Cherish Clark were able to send e-mail messages to theirfamilies in Cedarville and receive responses. Marla Perkins corresponded through e-mail with herfamily in Ithaca, New York The K.L.T.E. University in Debrecen provided the computerfacilities. III Education usually numbers in the top five of all majors declared at Cedarville.In fall quarter 1993,371 students declared education as their major choice,second only to business administration(423). • Elementary education was the top declared major choice for the overall student body, with 15% ofstudents declaring this as their major.The top choice for women was also elementary education. II Education is one ofthe top five departments ofgraduatesfrom June 1988 through June 1993 with • Educatio dep of ac t_onsec pCela F or a group ofeducators who are alumni and friends ofCedarville College, assisting means serving on the Teacher Education Advisory Board for the Department ofEducation at Cedarville College.Chaired by Roy Schmunk,retired superintendent for Clark County Schools,the advisory board serves the college in a two-fold capacity. First, the committee fulfills the requirements which the State Department ofEducation holds for every institution of higher learning that teaches education in the state ofOhio.Secondly,the committee serves as a direct line ofcommunicati etween practitioners of education and the instituti The Teacher EduAti n cruiting too Ced uallylookfs to rd attending ewe to increase th interested in Cedarv onthly meetings, me the department chair,D discuss a number of iss hanges and formal eva ecently,the committ el in advising the D ing state appro n. lum in the area special education co The 1993-94 Advisory Board was composed of 16 members including Dr. Merlin Ager'60,Dr. Shirley Schneider'86H,Lee Reno'71,Ken Carlton'74,Don Dunstan'67,Lisa Davidson '89,Dr.Sharon Eimers, Tim Greenwood'73,Bill Hayes,Tim Heaton,Peggy James,Karen King'84,Tom McGinnis'69,and Roy Schmunk.Two education students are also included on the Advisory Board.Thanks for your service to the Cedarville College Education Department! ed as one ofthe top three first anticipated fields Cedarville Colle curriculum in s specific learning behaliorally han d‘v,;4011olp mentalI v Board is also a liege. Members ents to direct mbers also rity students partment. At update from '60,and curricular program. the ground ucation •Certification from Cedarville qualifies graduates to teach in special education in grades K-12. • Cedarville graduates already have hands-on experience in the classroom,valued highly by employers.Special education majors have two student-teaching opportunities before they graduate—one in a special education class and one in a traditional class. • • re. erlt Inc to ir In 1989,James Pawelski received the Faculty Scholarship Awardfor graduating with the highestgrade point average. Alumni Continue To Learn A good education promotes and encourages life- long learning in many ofour alumni.Several graduates and non-graduates continue to pursue academic progress and success through continued coursework and seeking of advanced degrees. The"Alumnotes"section ofthe Inspire is full ofsuch reports. One such alumnus,James Pawelski'89,has been awarded a Fulbright Grant for 1994-95.Individuals are selected on the basis ofacademic and professional qualification,as well as their ability and willingness to share ideas and experiences with people of diverse cultures. After six weeks oflanguage work in Germany, James will begin studying philosophy at the Justus-Liebeig- Universitat-Giessen. He will continue work on his dissertation on the thought of American philosopher and psychologist William James and study the success of American philosophy in Germany. Each year,the Fulbright Program awards some 5,000 grants to American students,teachers,and scholars to study,teach,and conduct research around the world. Scholarships are awarded through open competition and administered by the U.S. Information Agency. Congratulations and best wishes to all our alumni in their endeavors oflife-long learning!