Born in 1920, Eldert Groenendyk '42 went from farm boy raised by immigrant parents to beloved math teacher to programmer for Iowa's first computers.
A Gateway to Technology teacher in Pella, Susan Lyons '00 doesn't just teach science—she teaches the love of science. In middle school, that means turning her students into mini-engineers.
A special education teacher in Georgia, Sarah Benz Boyce '06 loves the breakthrough moment when a student discovers their own power. Through innovative methods like parallel and station teaching, she's able to keep a wide variety of students together in one classroom.
Junior Zac Eash revels in the unpredictability of teaching—especially in an elementary school. But back on campus, he values the stability and support of his professors.
Senior Leland Schipper likes teaching students who hate math. That way it's more meaningful when they change their minds. After graduation, he hopes to inspire students at a large urban high school.
Junior Hanna Wilson's close relationship with her advisor took her to Sierra Leone, where she volunteered in a local orphanage. The trip deepened her desire to help students facing adversity.
A professor with 32 years' worth of stories, Rex Shahriari teaches students to throw out the anecdotes in favor of facts. He retires this spring after teaching best practices to thousands of future educators.
After teaching at Central for 25 years, Phil George is retiring this spring. He's known for his intellectual but light-hearted teaching, his extra-credit "yard games" and his commitment to students.
The education professors are just about the nicest people on campus. You can tell they love education, and they want all their students to be great teachers.
— Leland Schipper '12
Hanna Wilson '13 chose Central because the new education building demonstrated that the program was a high priority for the college. Take a tour of the high-tech, sustainable building.
100%
of the 2011 class of education majors surveyed by Central College were employed as teachers within six months of graduation.
