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How Faith-Informed Leadership and Strategic Change Can Help You Stand Out
In today’s fast-moving business environment, innovation is often celebrated as the engine of growth and competitive advantage. But what happens after the brainstorming session? After the product launch? After the strategy pivot?
The truth is, innovation without effective change management often fails to deliver lasting impact. Ideas may be groundbreaking, but without the right leadership and process to embed them into an organization’s culture and operations, they rarely stick.
This is where today’s business leaders have an opportunity to Stand Out by combining strategic thinking with the emotional intelligence and resilience needed to guide teams through change.
The Hardest Part of Innovation? Implementation.
It’s easy to focus on the creative side of innovation—generating new ideas, developing disruptive technologies, or exploring fresh business models. But turning innovation into sustainable change requires a different skill set. Leaders need to:
- Navigate organizational resistance
- Communicate change effectively across teams
- Align innovation efforts with company strategy
- Monitor and adapt change initiatives over time
- Foster a culture that welcomes, not fears, change
And for leaders shaped by a Christian academic community, these responsibilities come with an added layer of purpose: leading change in ways that reflect integrity, care for others, and a commitment to ethical decision-making.
Change Leadership Is Now a Core Business Competency
Forward-thinking organizations are placing greater value on leaders who can manage both sides of the equation: innovation and change management. Today’s most effective business leaders are not only idea generators, they’re change champions and they know how to bring people along for the journey, build buy-in, and sustain momentum long after the initial launch. In short, they Stand Out by making change not just possible, but successful and lasting.
Preparing Leaders to Move Ideas from Concept to Reality
At Northwestern College, our MBA specialization in Innovation & Change Management was designed with this leadership gap in mind and it’s offered within a Christian academic community that encourages students to align professional leadership with personal values.
Students in the program don’t just learn how to develop innovative strategies, they gain the tools to implement them effectively, ethically, and with empathy. Through real-world application, the curriculum covers areas like organizational development, strategic planning, change communication, and systems thinking.
In today’s business world, it’s not enough to have good ideas. Leaders must know how to turn those ideas into action and action into lasting results. If you’re ready to Stand Out as a leader who can both envision change and deliver it, check out our flexible and affordable MBA today. Learn more about Northwestern’s MBA and Innovation and Change Management Specialization.
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Two related and very similar qualities can lead to success for all of our students. They are relatively simple concepts and parents and school personnel have frequent opportunities to teach, develop and reinforce them.
The first of these qualities is what Stanford professor and psychologist, Carol Dweck calls a “growth mindset.” Those with a growth mindset believe that success comes from effort. On the other hand, people who believe that success comes from being born with the gift of intelligence or talent have a “fixed mindset.”
The second, related quality, is “Grit,” which University of Pennsylvania professor and psychologist Angela Duckworth defines as, “persistence, determination & resilience.”
Having a growth mindset is a great start. It gives us hope that we can affect the outcome of any situation. It gives us a reason to try and a reason to take risks. When we follow up with grit, we are able to deal with the disappointments and setbacks that inevitably come. We are able to focus on the benefits of the journey and not get discouraged when obstacles arise.
As parents, one of the most difficult things is watching our children struggle. Our instinct tells us to protect them from any pain and hurt that comes from failure. In some cases, we do need to step in, but in more, we need to put our energy into encouraging them to persist and believe that their efforts will make a difference. We also need to continually focus on learning—whether it is in a classroom, in relationships, or in an athletic or fine arts activity.
If our real expectation is that our children do their best, learn as much as they can, and act with character and integrity, we will praise and focus on those things and remove the focus and emphasis on a specific grade or an expectation for a certain amount of playing time. A’s and playing time are nice, but they are secondary to developing grit and adhering to a growth mindset.
These same principles of grit and a growth mindset are just as essential for educational leaders as they are for students. Pursuing a master's degree in educational administration requires the belief that leadership skills can be developed through effort and continuous learning. It also demands perseverance in the face of complex challenges, from navigating policy changes to supporting diverse student needs. As future administrators, modeling these qualities not only contributes to personal success but also sets the tone for a school culture that values resilience, growth, and the ongoing pursuit of excellence for all. If you're ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, learn more about Northwestern College’s M.Ed. in Educational Administration Program.
About the author
Russ Adams has served as the program director for Northwestern's Master of Education in Educational Administration and Principal Endorsement programs since 2024. Adams is also the assistant director for Northwestern's Center of Innovation and Leadership. Serving as superintendent of the MOC-Floyd Valley school district for 11 years, Adams was the recipient of the 2020-21 Iowa Superintendent of the Year, he previously served as principal of MOC-Floyd Valley High School from 2003 to 2013. He was recognized as the 2009 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year and a 2003 recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award.
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Let's take time to pause during Teacher Appreciation Week to consider the profound calling and vital work of our teachers. In a rapidly evolving world, their dedication extends beyond the transmission of rote knowledge; it reflects a commitment to nurturing the hearts and minds of the young people entrusted to their care.
Our teachers navigate a complex landscape, integrating new technologies and addressing the diverse needs of their students. They are not merely instructors; they are often the hands and feet of compassion, offering guidance, social and emotional support, and a steady presence in a world that can feel increasingly uncertain.
It's also vital to acknowledge something profound: teaching is a uniquely human endeavor that AI cannot replicate. Our teachers are instrumental in fostering not only intellectual development but also character, resilience, and a sense of purpose. They are planting seeds of wisdom and truth in order to cultivate a harvest of thoughtful and engaged citizens. They are preparing students for a future we can only begin to imagine.
Therefore, our appreciation must be rooted in a respect for their vocations and more than a fleeting observance. Let it be a consistent outpouring of prayer, support, and gratitude, recognizing the profound responsibility and sacred calling they embrace as they shape the next generation within our community. May we, as people of faith, be a source of strength and encouragement for them in this vital work.
At Northwestern College, we believe that honoring teachers means equipping them for longevity, growth, and leadership in their calling. Our fully online Master of Education programs are designed to support educators at every stage of their journey—whether deepening classroom practice, stepping into new areas of leadership, or responding to the evolving needs of today's learners. As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering those who shape the future, one student at a time. Explore our M.Ed. programs here.
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Earlier this month the Northwestern Physician Assistant program welcomed about forty kindergarteners into our classroom to learn about our profession. As to be expected, each kindergartener brought tons of energy and excitement. I was impressed to find how much these kids already knew about the PA profession. They gave examples like, “PAs are kind,” “PAs help people when they are sick,” and “PAs like working with others.” They were exactly right; these qualities exemplify what a PA is, and we were happy to share our skills with them. We broke into stations and focused on sharing with the kids the tools we use to do our job. The kids were able to practice taking blood pressures, using a stethoscope, and looking in ears. A major hit with the kids was the opportunity to look at our bone models and practice splinting broken limbs. Ideally, after having this exposure, the kids will be more comfortable at future medical appointments because they understand what tools are being used. I thoroughly enjoyed our time with the kids, and was glad to see they had a blast.
It was important for us to expose the kindergarteners to our program, and show them how school can be challenging and exciting at the same time. You never know, maybe there were some future PA students in the group. Another goal of this visit was to continue in community outreach, forming connections between the college and groups around town. This is great practice for me and my classmates, as we see community involvement being intertwined with our career at a PA. As a current student, I can see the support our program has from the community, and I am thankful to be surrounded by so many amazing people.
-Taylar Boerema, PA-S '26, Class President
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About the Author
Taylar is a member of the Northwestern College Physician Assistant class of 2026. She is currently studying to earn her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and serves as Class President for her cohort. 
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Research has shown that a child’s spiritual foundation and view of the world is developed within their first six years of life (Gillian, 2007). When children hear consistent messages about Christianity at home, at church, and at school, it solidifies their understanding of God and they can practice His teachings in a variety of settings. Early childhood educators help to share these messages and model behaviors for young children in their care.
Master of Education instructor and early childhood consulant, Dr. Jennifer Sturgeon shares applicable lessons or ideas for early childhood teachers working in Christian schools and in a public school setting.
While engaging in class discussions at Northwestern College, graduate students who work as early childhood educators shared their experiences of working in Christian schools. Stories shared included kindergartners pointing out God’s creations while on a nature walk, preschoolers praying for a classmate who was at a grandparent’s funeral and creating artwork representing Heaven, and first graders playing a Bible detective game to better understand the Word of God.
When reflecting on their experiences in the classrooms, these early childhood educators pointed out a strong positive impact of faith-based education on academics and behaviors. I decided to investigate this further and had the opportunity to gather input from focus groups of educators from grades Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2 on the positive impact that faith-based education has on both individual students and the overall culture of their environment.
Developing Faith-Based Routines
When we think about our youngest learners, students in preschool or in the primary grades, they often do things out of routine and habit. There are certain habits that we have as Christians to help build and strengthen our faith. Praying is modeled for children and becomes a habit early on. Our youngest learners may not fully understand or comprehend the significance of Christian values, however, we do not need to wait until they fully understand (Brim, 2016). The teachers that participated in the focus groups mentioned that they are setting the stage for the child’s future and helping them to develop those faith-based habits to prepare them for when they reach an age where they can begin to reflect on and understand the different aspects of faith.
Teachers include prayer as part of the school day and teach children that through prayer, we can communicate with God. Children are encouraged to offer a silent prayer to God each day and are taught the importance of sharing a prayer with peers in their classrooms. When our youngest learners pray, it strengthens their faith and unity and helps them know that they are one before The Lord (Covey, 2018). Prayer is also used to help children take a deep breath, calm down, handle social situations, and complete challenging academic tasks.
The children also take on different roles and responsibilities related to prayer to help take ownership of their faith. For example, classroom jobs assigned to students include setting up the daily prayer space, writing out the petitions, and choosing the Biblical story or song.
Academics
According to the Council for American Private Education, students who attend religious schools score at an academic level about 12 months ahead of their counterparts (2020). This begins with the strategies used and the curriculum implemented at an early age. After listening to the teachers in the focus groups discuss academics, it became clear that in faith-based programs or schools, academic achievement was a priority at a young age. There were consistent findings that the focus was on preparing children for the next grade level and beyond.
The educators stressed that religion and faith-based practices can be effectively embedded using an interdisciplinary approach. There are countless ways to include faith in all areas of the curriculum. Several examples related to literacy were shared. One teacher described an activity that they did related to descriptive writing. Each student created a Saint Journal and wrote about the characteristics of the saints and then shared their writing with their classmates. Another example focused on teaching the literary elements, such as plot, characters, story sequence, and conflict, and how teachers can use stories from the Bible and have the students draw or write in response the story and the lessons taught.
In addition, the teachers spoke at great lengths about how the students’ talents and gifts from God are promoted, as well as individualization of learning styles. Those teachers who work in early childhood settings have a wide range of children enter their classrooms, with a variety of needs, skills, and background experiences. They focus on the unique potential of their students and modify the curriculum to meet the needs of all students and support each student to reach their potential. They felt that in faith-based settings, the educators were truly there for the students and were willing to go above and beyond. This led to more of a collaborative spirit and everyone coming together to help the students that needed extra assistance.
The focus group participants also noted that the students in faith-based classrooms appeared to be more comfortable taking risks and speaking up in the large group because a culture of kindness and love that had been created in their classrooms. They noted that students were more willing to raise their hand to ask and answer questions without embarrassment or fear. When working with a partner or in a small group setting, peers were helpful and assisted their classmates without judgment. They noted that these peer interactions gave students more confidence.
Positive Social-Emotional Skills
The teachers shared common themes that connected faith-based learning to positive social-emotional skills, a culture of kindness and collaboration, and a safe learning environment. Christian morals set children up for a lifetime of success. Between the ages of two and five, children begin to display morally-based behaviors and beliefs (McKay, 2014). When children are in settings where they are taught these morals, their social-emotional skills and their daily behaviors are impacted. The teachers who explicitly taught Christian values and spoke openly about faith daily in the classroom saw an increase in positive social-emotional behaviors when they compared their experiences in faith-based classrooms to other teaching environments.
In faith-based classrooms, early childhood educators serve as role models in faith by teaching the values of Christianity, establishing trusting relationships where children can reflect on actions and learn from mistakes, and encouraging kindness and friendship (Holloway, 2006). The teachers noted that most of the children in their faith-based classrooms excelled at turn-taking, sharing, and using of kind manners. They shared that children as young as three-years-old could manage their emotions and problem solve when frustrated or upset. They attributed this to both teaching those Christian morals as well as children feeling they are cared for and safe in their classrooms. Children are instructed to calm down, take deep breaths, and pray. They are respected as valuable members of the classroom and are taught how to handle their emotions in a constructive way. The teachers in the classroom model appropriate behaviors and guide them through the process.
Culture of Kindness and Gratitude
Learning about God and listening to Bible stories at an early age helps children to develop empathy (Oswalt, 2021). This increases their understanding of other’s perspectives and leads to more productive and positive communication. The graduate students mentioned that children are taught forgiveness at a young age. We all sin, and everyone makes mistakes, but we must forgive one another.
In faith-based classrooms, children are taught to live like Jesus. At a young age, students are taught about gratitude and focus on being thankful for what they have. Through a variety of projects, they provide service to others. A common theme shared was service-based learning projects, in which the children collected donations for others, created art for others, or did a variety of good deeds around the school.
Safe learning environment
Faith-based early childhood classrooms provide our youngest learners with a safe emotional and spiritual environment. Children are taught to be respectful and to love one another and conflicts are discouraged. The children are taught that bullying is not kind and practice different ways to solve problems as they arise. The teachers in the focus groups mentioned that students are consistently allowed to be themselves and to express their ideas freely without being judged by their schoolmates or teachers.
Specifically mentioned were the children who had experienced high levels of stress and trauma in their lives. Teachers shared that part of creating a safe environment included teaching children to trust in God, which led to less anxiety in the classroom setting. Young children experience big emotions. One shared a story where the child who had experienced several challenges came to school crying and the difference it made when during their opening routine when the teacher asked for petitions, someone prayed that she had a better day.
Although the majority of the focus group participants were employed in faith-based settings at the time of the discussions, the consensus of the group was that these values can still be instilled in our youngest learners in a public-school setting. When teachers cannot lead the class in prayer or directly speak about Jesus and His teachings, they still find ways to model kindness, compassion, and other key values from the Bible.
About the Author
Dr. Jennifer Sturgeon is a Master of Education Instructor in Northwestern's online M.Ed. program and consults with administrators and teachers across the country who are using curriculum and assessment materials produced by Teaching Strategies, LLC, and trains staff on the best practices for early childhood education.
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This blog post was originally published on the Region 13 Education Service Center website.
Educators know the difficulties of the summer slide—the phenomenon where students lose significant gains in math and reading over the summer months. But now, research is coming out on the devastating effects of the so-called COVID-19 slide. We must pay attention to the informal and formal student data surrounding the implications and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and what we can do to address it.
According to a research brief from NWEA (2020), “Policymakers and educational leaders have the unenviable responsibility of making difficult decisions well into the 2020-2021 school year and beyond. Now more than ever, we need school data to inform evidence-based policies to support our students, teachers, and families on the path to recovery” (p.2).
As leaders, we must take this current information and begin to plan with our teams and stakeholders, at whatever level, to map out how we are going to address the areas of significant gaps in learning that students are currently enduring.
In a recent presentation from the Department of Education called, Learning in a Pandemic, I heard some fascinating statistics on the state of education in the US. Let’s dive into the school data and discuss some takeaways. But remember that with any data analyses and interpretation, there are always multiple variables and extenuating circumstances. So we must use caution when making practical, short and long-term decisions.
COVID-19 Impact Data
In the COVID-Sim project research study, Dr. Macke Raymond, the Director of CREDO, compared fall 2019 student data with fall 2020 student data from the 20 states in this simulation project. It estimated what students would have learned had COVID-19 not occurred and the COVID-19 impact on learning, with help from the NWEA.
Math Losses vs. Reading Losses
They found that learning losses in math were greater than reading in every state. They hypothesized that this is due to the fact that we use reading (language arts) in our day-to-day lives more frequently.
Equity Effects
When comparing the loss estimates between high-minority/high-poverty schools and low-minority/low-poverty schools, they found that the first group has the largest amount of learning loss and the second group has the smallest.
Dr. Macke Raymond stated that “students who were already at the back of the pack, are the ones who had the largest impact, and are being moved even further back relative to the impacts for other students.”
So COVID-19 magnifies pre-existing achievement gaps. The effects are inversely related to overall achievement: students with lower achievement have greater losses. This means that we can no longer assume common starting points and fixed pace of learning.
Learning Loss Based on School Attendance
This graph represents students from the 20 states examined in the study attending the traditional 180 days of school and their learning loss or not attending the school over that school year. For example, the average loss of learning was 64%, or in other words, as if they had not attended school for 116 days of reading instruction. With math, the worst-case scenario was 232 days of loss of learning for some students (as if they did not attend school for 232 days at this time).
Recommendations Based on Student Data
It’s hard not to feel discouraged by the student learning loss and the widening achievement gap. But knowing what we’re up against can help us as we plan for the future. The presentation by Dr. Ailiyah Samuel, Senior Fellow of Government Affairs and Partnerships, offers some suggestions.
Academic remedies will likely take years, but this is only part of the equation. We will also need new approaches to schooling and the new or different use of teachers. For example, having a concentrated, expert teacher of master content can ensure students are meeting the learning objectives. There could also be a wider range of school setting options such as virtual, blended, one room with multi-ages, etc.
Furthermore, the need for assessment has never been greater, as even the best students will have up to a 50% loss in learning. A lack of data on students in underserved communities also makes assessment a key component in getting back on track.
Planning for the Future
When making plans to combat the COVID-19 slide, be sure to have at least a three-year lens on everything from technology to finances. A study in Argentina during the 1980s teacher strikes found that the negative effects of students missing school followed them into adulthood and had a disproportionate effect on low-income students. This information can also help us make sure we are allocating resources equitably so that all students can recover from the learning loss.
In addition, examine current teacher certification and reciprocity across districts and states (i.e. we could access “expert teachers” from one state for another state and not be held back by “regulations”). Additionally, place an increased focus on math (as it is cumulative) and brainstorm how to make it a day-to-day activity like reading.
Personally, you can watch the complete webinar from the Department of Education and review the concrete steps of 5 ways to lead and adapt through a crisis (from the Center for Creative Leadership). Don’t forget to ground your work in Radical Empathy. “Radical empathy is a concept that does exactly that – it encourages people to actively consider another person’s point of view in order to connect more deeply with them.” ~Jacqui Paterson
And finally, just begin. There is no perfect answer to teaching in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but looking at student data and taking action is crucial for our students’ success.
Tell us what you think!
Tweet to @NWConline
About the Author
Dr. Wendy Kerr is a Master of Education Instructor in Northeastern's online M.Ed. program and works as an Administrative Specialist for Educator Evaluation and Leadership at ESC Region 13 in Austin Texas.
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Recently I heard a sermon about rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep (Romans 12:15). My fear of missing out (FOMO) spikes when I see social media posts of my vacationing friends and this was a good sermon for me to ponder. It is a lesson I have tried to teach my own kids in my own house. Among my six kids, there hasn’t always joy when one kid gets to choose the breakfast cereal or sadness when one kid gets hurt on the new skateboard.
I enjoy visiting with new teachers and recently I had a conversation about classroom management with a new elementary teacher. He has a large and busy class. He was telling me that behavior management has been the biggest challenge for him. The behavior exhibited by one child is particularly concerning. This child often thinks he gets the short end of the stick or another child is the teacher’s favorite. He complains that others get better seats, more time, a better deal in general. He disrupts the class often.
The teacher told me about the interventions he was trying. He had given the child frequent breaks; preferential seating, including a standing desk; fidgets; a handheld gaming device to take on the bus. I thought that his plan sounded good. At the end of the conversation though, the young teacher asked, “What will the other kids think of him being rewarded for his behavior? Won’t they want to act like that too?”
The question stopped me up short. Did the accommodations seem like a reward? Would the other kids in the class begin to act out so they too could have their behavior “rewarded”?
What do you all think? I know behavior can be contagious, but I do not think that kids without behavior issues will start misbehaving to see if they too can have accommodations. Will all of the kids want fidgets? Perhaps. Will all the kids need fidgets? Probably not. Teaching positive behaviors is difficult for all of us, especially for new teachers.
I taught my own kids a little song when they were little. I sang, “When good things happen to people we love we are…and then I would point to them and they would say GLAD!” We would continue by saying, “When bad things happen to people we love, we are SAD!” My goal was to teach them to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. I hope that teachers can do that too. Can we create communities where we all want the best for all kids in the class?
Tell us what you think!
Tweet to @NWCOnline
Teaching positive behaviors is difficult for all of us, especially for new teachers.
— NWC Grad & Online (@NWCOnline) February 15, 2021
How do we create communities where we all want what's best for all in the class; what do you think? @heits1 https://t.co/pUgmMURcGC
About the Author
Dr. Heitritter currently serves as a special education strategist with the Northwest AEA. Prior to her retirement from Northwestern, she served in many full-time roles including department chair, licensure official, and professor of undergraduate and graduate education courses. Before joining Northwestern's education department, Dr. Heitritter served as a language arts consultant and taught at both public and Christian elementary schools.
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Parker Palmer, American author and educator wrote in his book The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life, “I am a teacher at heart, and there are moments in the classroom when I can hardly hold the joy. When my students and I discover uncharted territory to explore, when the pathway out of a thicket opens up before us, when our experience is illumined by the lightning-life of the mind-then teaching is the finest work I know.”
This is my first year back in K-12 education after many years as a teacher educator at Northwestern College. I am working as a learning strategist and the schools I serve have been open for in person learning since August. The educators I work with are universally grateful to be back learning in person with kids. In fact, Covid has made it so teachers get almost more time with their students than before the pandemic. Kids come directly to their classrooms when they arrive at school. They stay in their own classrooms all day. Specials are delivered in the classroom so as to reduce exposure. Teachers spend any breaks they find sanitizing. They take their own students out for recess to limit contact with other classes. They contract trace after exposure. They arrange their room and change their instructional practices to keep kids as far apart as possible. The pandemic has certainly presented teachers and students “uncharted territory to explore”. Sometimes these challenges have been joyful, but for many educators, the pandemic-induced uncharted territory has been stressful.
Still, through the stress, the courage and strength that I see every day from the teachers and students I work with has been incredible.
Teachers have faced the extra and challenge with the knowledge that learning in person depends on their work. Teachers have taught kids virtually and in-person simultaneously. They learned new technology and deployed it as they learned it. They have fostered incredible community within their own classrooms. They are surviving a pandemic with their students and together they are building memories that will last a lifetime.
In the same chapter, Palmer goes on to say, “Teaching, like any truly human activity, emerges from one’s inwardness, for better or worse. As I teach, I project the condition of my soul onto my students, my subject, and our way of being together.” Well, Mr. Palmer, if it is true that teaching holds a mirror to the soul, I can answer that the soul of the teachers I see is just fine. In fact, the condition of the soul is so fine, it is joyful to see.
Palmer, P. J. (2017). Courage To Teach: exploring the inner landscape of a teacher's life - 20th anniversary edition. JOSSEY-BASS.
About the Author
Dr. Heitritter currently serves as a special education strategist with the Northwest AEA. Prior to her retirement from Northwestern, she served in many full-time roles including department chair, licensure official, and professor of undergraduate and graduate education courses. Before joining Northwestern's education department, Dr. Heitritter served as a language arts consultant and taught at both public and Christian elementary schools.
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Kari was nominated by her faculty as a student who constantly sought to better her practice while exhibiting the key pillars of Northwestern Raiders. Her dedication to high-quality work and positive, faith-filled peer interaction is something to be emulated. Kari's journey included unexpected hardship as she underwent cancer treatment while continuing her master's degree and teaching - and handled it all with a grace that is deeply inspiring.
We celebrate Kari, 6th-grade teacher, mom, wife, teacher leader and breast cancer warrior.
She earned her Master of Education in Teacher Leadership.
In the fall of 2018, I made the decision to finish my master's degree online. After searching and reaching out to many colleges, I knew right away that NWC Online was the best fit for me. I am a 5th/6th-grade special education teacher at Okoboji Middle School, teacher leader, wife, and mom. Juggling all of that was going to be difficult. What I wasn’t prepared for, was a diagnosis that would throw my life a curveball. I finished the Fall term and part of the Spring term with a breeze. That all changed in May. I felt a lump one morning by chance. Due to family history, I got into the doctor that morning. What followed was a series of events that led to a Stage 3 Breast Cancer diagnosis.
I reached out to my professors and advisor right away to let them know my circumstances.
They are the reason I kept moving forward with finishing out my master's degree while also receiving treatment.
Their faith, compassion, and understanding gave me hope that I could reach this long-term goal of mine. My family was my rock throughout my diagnosis and continuing my education. My husband took on so much to allow me time to work and research. The boys’ grandparents were our angels that kept the boys for most of the summer while I received a chemo that was hard on my body.
It was through my online classes that kept my mind focused and distracted from my disease.
In the fall of 2019, I was able to continue teaching part-time. I taught 3 days a week due to chemo treatments and a day of rest. My colleagues, administration, and students always took care of me. I was showered with love, kindness, cards, gifts, food, and prayers throughout my journey that kept me going strong.
I am so thankful for all of the people in my life that gave me support, inspired me to keep fighting, and motivated me to continue moving forward with my degree.
Because of my education through Northwestern, I was able to pause and reflect on my career and change my approaches as a teacher and leader. The classes challenged my thinking, faith, and instruction. Going forward, my mindset has shifted to a more open-minded approach as I work alongside other teachers to meet our students’ needs. My experience through Northwestern was wonderful. What I loved most about my experience was how each of my classes challenged my faith-based practices in and out of the classroom.
The advice I would give other educators considering the same program is to be prepared for excellence. Build relationships and make connections in each of your classes to open up your career to more possibilities. Most importantly, be willing to try new things, accept challenges, and make mistakes as you learn and grow.
Currently, I am a 6th-grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Okoboji Middle School. Previously I taught Special Education for 13 years. What I love most about my job is building relationships with students. Making connections with students is such a beautiful thing and changes how I approach my instruction to meet the needs of my learners.
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Connecting in Bahrain.
I like making connections. Maybe it’s a Dutch thing, or maybe it’s an attempt to create some order in a chaotic world, but I like to see how things come together. Connections allow me to see how the world is bigger than just me and my experiences. Traveling overseas also reminds me that the body of Christ is bigger than Northwestern College and Orange City.
Upon arrival in Bahrain, we watched our passports move from person to person like a shell game, trying to remain “anxious in nothing”. The wait finally ended with Rebecca being called to the original immigration officer who provided us with the cost for our visa and allowed us to leave the airport. Then, we were welcomed by Christine Roy, a graduate of Northwestern’s undergrad (English Education) and graduate (Teacher Leadership) programs. She drove us from the airport in the midst of horn honking and flag waving, celebrating, not our arrival, but the Gulf Cup soccer win over Saudi. This football win inspired the king of Bahrain to cancel all schools the next day, which immediately changed our plans.
When we finally made it to school, it was a dress-up day for National week, with the students all decked out in royal outfits. It felt like we were meeting princes and princesses as we toured the younger grades and listened to them welcome us to the school. Although the students mostly Bahrani, the staff and teachers are from a wider range of countries and backgrounds –India, Egypt, USA, UK, and more. Al Raja is a bilingual school in which students learn some subjects in Bahrain and some in English.
Our host for the week was Christine and her roommates. Christine grew up in Bahrain and then came to Northwestern to become an English teacher. While here, she made connections and was fully engaged in the campus community. After graduation, she started teaching at Al Raja School and joined our online graduate program in education leadership. One of her roommates is Noemi, who is developing the Inclusive Learning Program at the school. Her other roommate is Elizabeth, who lived as a missionary kid in Bahrain and is now a para, assisting with the Inclusive Learning Program.
Rebecca and I traveled to the Al Raja School to find ways to partner with them. Northwestern might be able to provide professional development for classroom teachers in special education. Or maybe someone in our grad program will collect data and do research with this unique school in the middle east. Possibly, one of our education students will travel to Bahrain for practicum experiences at a bilingual PreK-12 school. We have made new connections to Al Raja School and look forward to the next steps in our relationship. Ask Rebecca or me if you want to hear more.
Peace and joy,
Derek
