Inspire, Winter 2003

26 Winter 2003 Craig ’02 M.Ed. and Celeste Shustrick Dunlap ’93, ’02 M.Ed. agree that graduating together from Cedarville University with master’s degrees in education was an answer to prayer and a dream come true. “Celeste and I do a lot of things together. We love to be together, and I often say that our lives are intertwined. While I never seriously considered that we’d be students together, it was just natural that if I would be taking classes, Celeste would be right there next to me,” explained Craig. For Celeste, however, it was divine intervention that brought them both to Cedarville for graduate work. “When we married,” she said, “I knew that I wanted to eventually continue my education, but I wasn’t sure we would be able to do it at the same time, and I really never expected to do it at Cedarville.” She added, “Cedarville has been such an important part of my life and who I have become that part of me wished Craig could fully understand by experiencing it himself. But, until recently, he had to settle for all my stories. I am so glad that he was given the opportunity to complete his degree at Cedarville and realize that I wasn’t exaggerating the Cedarville experience.” Craig remembers they were initially apprehensive because they thought they would not be able to afford to take classes at the same time, but they were amazed how God provided. Through scholarship money from Cedarville and from their employer, Calvary Christian School, they were able not only to attend Cedarville, but also to complete their degrees debt-free. The Cedarville graduate experience was far-reaching for both. Craig says the program helped him achieve many goals. He shared, “I can honestly say that I’ve taken something from each professor and am implementing it. Dr. Chris Miller’s Bible class showed me how to dig deep into the Word to see the truths that God intended us to learn. Dr. Ed Baumann showed how to take biblical truths and apply them to all situations. I have tried to take the lessons learned from these men and challenge my own students to do the same. Mr. Kevin Winslow taught a great course on technology. I wanted to learn more, and so I wrote a thesis on technology in the classroom. I am now able to help my own students be better learners and presenters of information.” Celeste commented that while doing research for a class project she discovered some problems with math instruction, specifically in relation to female students. “I began to take a hard look at my own instruction and make some changes in how I taught math in order to make sure I am reaching all my students,” she explained. “I hope that these changes will affect my students in a positive way as they leave Christian elementary school and face middle and high school. I was encouraged recently when one of my girls said, ‘You make me understand math!’” Armed with new information gained through the graduate school experience, Craig and Celeste have big dreams for their students. “My ultimate goal, the salvation of my students, has been a burden from the moment I entered into the teaching program as an undergraduate at Cedarville,” Celeste noted. “I have had two students profess Christ as their Savior this year; it has been so exciting to see many of my students grow in their spiritual walks.” “Cedarville’s graduate program definitely helped me try to achieve my secondary goal, which is having my students see God’s Word as the final authority for our lives,” continued Celeste. “As I was going through the program, I began to see that I wasn’t doing this enough in the classroom. That has been a personal goal these last two years. We have gotten into some great discussions, everything from movies and music to social drinking. And, through all these things, I have been able to take them back to the Word to show them what God has to say about these life issues.” Both Craig and Celeste agree that with time and experience, their dreams as educators will change and yet also remain consistent. “Most of all, I want to see my students strengthen their relationship with Christ,” Craig explained. “Second, I want to teach them critical thinking skills using the information that we discuss in class. I want them to take it to the next level and apply it to everyday situations. This involves everything from mathematical facts to vocabulary words, but more importantly, biblical truths.” Celeste may have summed up the dream of many teachers when she stated, “Hopefully, I am modeling Christ in my methodology, in my enthusiasm for teaching, in my discipline, and in my love for my students. I want them to see Christ in me and desire to have Christ in them.” For more information on Cedarville’s master of education program, visit www.cedarville.edu/dept/graduate . Double the Dreams C r a i g ’ 02 M . E d . a n d C e l e s t e S h u s t r i c k D u n l a p ’ 93 , ’ 02 M . E d . ... Craig and Celeste have big dreams for their students.