Is Corban the place for you?
The answer to that question was 'yes' for Kim Baggett of Salem, Oregon. "The personal admissions counseling, small class sizes and individualized advising were just a few reasons I decided to become a student of Corban Graduate School in 2005," she said.
“Over the last several years, I have often checked into education programs trying to determine if there was a way that I could take the methods classes I was missing without having to earn an additional degree. My first choice was always Corban; I love the campus, the atmosphere, the staff and the students,” she said.
As the main financial contributor of her family, Baggett needed flexibility in earning her post-baccalaureate initial teaching licensure which is something that Corban offers.
“We believe in designing programs to meet individual needs,” said Provost Dr. Linda Samek. “This process allows our graduate students the opportunity to be thoughtful about what they want to explore and go deeper in their specific area of study.”
Dr. Matt Lucas, dean of education, added, “One of the key aspects of that is to make sure that the faculty is available for individualized advising.”
Candidates in the Graduate Studies in Education program are taught to develop and improve their teaching and service in the areas of curriculum, research, leadership and pedagogy in addition to being able to articulate a Christian perspective of education and translate that perspective into practice within the classroom, school, and community.
“The instructors at Corban are committed to helping students learn and grow in all areas of their lives; it is not just a ‘job’ for them. [They] are well qualified to teach in their areas . . . open to new ideas, new ways to present the material, new challenges and new students,” Baggett said.
Baggett went on to say that Lucas spent quality time with her not only discussing and exploring different strategies for accomplishing the program, but also her financial situation.
“He explained the program could be started in any term and then continued through until finished. “That was delightful information,” Baggett said, “I realized I could pick up where I left off if I had to miss a semester or couldn’t take the full load. I jumped in with both feet; I was excited and ready to learn.”
Lucas wasn’t the only faculty member that had an impact on her life. She said that each one challenged her intellectually while guiding her through the program – especially Dr. Bunch and his love for books as well as Dr. Claudia Green’s reminder that learning can be fun.
“Each one works hard to model learning, teaching and growing in a relationship with Christ. I feel that God gave me these three individuals to help me see the areas in my life that reflected Him, that were blessed and that needed review.”
Graduate Admissions Counselor Holly Cozby said that the program is unique because it offers students personal attention with courses taught from a biblical perspective.
“I have the utmost respect and appreciation for teachers and I truly enjoy working with those who are either just beginning the process or who have been educators for many years,” Cozby said.
Baggett appreciated that kind of enthusiasm from the beginning stages of the admissions process through completing the program in May of 2006. She currently works full-time as a third-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School in Salem.
“For Christians who desire to become teachers or further their educational coursework, there is no better school than Corban. There are other schools with a Christian basis that provide educational coursework, but there is not another school that requires and encourages a growing love relationship with Jesus Christ,” Baggett said.
