MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

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Have you ever thought about what it takes to become a teacher? Preparing to enter a classroom as the lead teacher may seem like a daunting task. Maranatha’s School of Education not only prepares future teachers to be leaders in their field, but also allows them to practice and become proficient.

PREPARED

No one likes to be unprepared. Maranatha’s dedicated Education faculty seek to prepare students to be the best teacher they can be. As a student in the Education department, you will have the privilege to learn from professors in a variety of departments. Applied Science faculty, Music faculty, and Humanities faculty to name a few, all play a role in preparing students to become well-rounded teachers.

Not only are you trained by Maranatha’s faculty, but you gain valuable insight from seasoned teachers in local school districts. Starting with freshman fieldwork, every student at every level in the School of Education is having contact with a school outside of Maranatha.

As a result of this diverse training, Maranatha’s student teachers are well-prepared to enter the classroom.

PRACTICED

When a student begins their semester of student teaching, they already have a little experience under their belt. Having been in the classroom for multiple hours of fieldwork, the student-teacher already has an idea of how to handle a class. As they progress through the semester, the student is evaluated on their presentation.

In addition to MBU faculty visiting the classroom to observe the student, part of the evaluation is an analysis done by the cooperating teacher. These analyses are submitted to the School of Education department and used to review the student. The department will regularly receive comments on how mature the student-teacher was and how well the student-teacher adapted. Dr. David Handyside shares, “They always comment about [the students] being better prepared. They are better prepared in doing lesson planning and in knowing what’s supposed to come next. They show up and work hard. … [The teachers] like their honesty and their willingness to listen.”

The School of Education is excited to have a placement for all our student teachers for the Fall 2020 semester. While a few will teach virtually, most of them will be in the classroom.  These placements will allow the students to continue to grow as servant leaders.

PROFICIENT

Teachers, by definition, are leaders. They not only lead their class but also their colleagues. As the School of Education seeks to develop servant leaders, they train the students to listen, problem-solve, and lead by example. But leadership is not just something that happens when the student is at the front of the classroom. Students are trained to understand that meeting the individual pupil’s needs is also leadership.

Caitlin Yates (’19), a teacher at Schaumburg Christian School, says, “My student teaching helped me seriously think about each student individually and how to help them best. Of course, it’s a challenge, but teachers shouldn’t let students just slip through unnoticed. Even if it’s the best student in the class, teachers should help build their strengths.”

Mercy Bailey (’20) was ready to be in the classroom when she graduated. She says, “I was not afraid of the classroom environment. I felt at home there.” Since becoming a PreK teacher at Towering Oaks Christian School, Mercy has used her MBU training in different ways. “My training at MBU helped me establish a confident classroom management plan. My students know I love them, but they also know that when it’s time to learn, it’s time to learn. My training at MBU also helped me plan my lessons and be organized before each school day. Planning is a must and my training helped me learn how to plan so I’m not stressed every week.”

Maranatha is sending teachers into the world who are prepared, practiced, and proficient. You could be one of them. Explore what you can do in the School of Education and get the Teaching Education Get Going Guide that helps you start your journey.

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