Archive for ‘Education’

Greg Oglesby (’11) | Teacher Education

by   |  11.02.11  |  Education, English

Greg Oglesby ('11)B.S. in All-level special education and minor in English
(Abilene, Texas)

Greg Oglesby’s high school coach planted seeds in his mind that have grown into a life plan involving a special group of kids.

In addition to coaching, Greg’s mentor taught special education classes at the high school. Through him, Greg got to interact with those classes a few days each week, serving as an aide his senior year. “I just really got to love the kids from watching what he did,” Greg says. More »

Laura Acuff (’11) | Journalism, History, National Merit Finalist

by   |  05.20.11  |  Education, English, History, Honors, Journalism & Mass Communication, Political Science

Laura AcuffB.S. in Journalism, B.A. in History, Minors in Political Science and Professional Writing
(College Station, Texas)

Traveling to Bulgaria to teach English wasn’t in Laura Acuff’s original plan upon graduating from ACU this month. But a Fulbright Scholarship changed all that.

In Laura’s junior year at ACU, she heard about the prestigious exchange program, which is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.

She researched the program and met with Fulbright representatives on ACU’s campus. Upon their recommendation, she then began working with the ESL (English as a Second Language) program on campus teaching English to international students.

More »

Garrett Hines (’06) | Education, History, Art

by   |  01.20.11  |  Art & Design, Education, History

Garrett Hines ('06)

B.S. in Education and History, Teacher Certification in EC-12 Art
Fifth-grade art teacher, Woodgate Intermediate School (Waco, Texas)

Renaissance Man might be an apt description for Garrett Hines (’06). He has an interdisciplinary degree in education and history, certification to teach K-12 art, is a triathlete and a professional artist who had his first gallery opening this fall.

And the audience who benefits daily from his talents is a group of fifth-graders at Woodgate Intermediate School in Midway ISD, Waco, where he teaches the finer points of appreciating art.

“I believe when your heart burns for something, that is God telling us and guiding us toward a path he laid out for us.”

More »

Sarah Peters (’12) | Special Education

by   |  01.20.11  |  Education

Sarah Peters ('12)

Special Education major
(Austin, Texas)

The summer after her sophomore year of high school, Sarah Peters volunteered at a camp for kids with special needs known as CAMP – or Children’s Association for Maximum Potential. The experience changed her life.

“It helped me to see people for who they are, not what they look like,” she said.

At CAMP, Sarah served as a counselor, working with only one child for the entire week. It was her job to make sure that her camper could participate in every activity, no matter how challenging the process might be.

More »

Isaac Bray (’09) | Vocal Performance, Education

by   |  01.20.11  |  Education, Music

Isaac Bray ('09)

B.M. in Vocal Performance with EC-12 teacher certification
Pursuing Masters in Opera Performance at The Boston Conservatory (Boston, Massachusetts)

ACU alum Isaac Bray dreams of becoming a professional opera singer who impacts his audience with every performance.  With a full-tuition scholarship to The Boston Conservatory, he seems to be well on his way.

Isaac’s goal is to glorify God with each performance. “You will never know what people are going through or what little thing you might do that will inspire them, so you have to treat every performance – big or small – with equal care and importance,” he says.

More »

Amy Perez (’07) | Social Studies Education

by   |  01.20.11  |  Education, History

Amy Perez ('07)

B.S. in Grades 4-8 Social Studies Education
Teacher of the Year, Region 4, Aldine School District (Houston, Texas)

“‘Changing the world, one child at a time.’ These are the words that ignite my passion for teaching—the words that were rooted into me by my caring professors at ACU. Each morning, I take into my hands a purple lanyard which carries the key to my classroom. As I place it around my neck, I read these words silently and commit to do just as they say. One child at a time. It is the kindling of my career.”

When Amy Perez (’07) received Teacher of the Year Award for her region, she was surprised – in fact, shocked might be a better word. But the award simply represented the fulfillment of Amy’s daily commitment  to minister wholeheartedly to those whom Jesus called “the least of these.”

More »

Adrienne Carpenter (’08) | Spanish, Education

by   |  01.19.11  |  Education, Foreign Languages

Adrienne Carpenter ('08)B.A. in Spanish for Teacher Certification
High school Spanish teacher, Garland ISD

“The ACU difference is simply the professors. Nowhere else will you find men and women who don’t just care that you receive a phenomenal education, but their No. 1 priority is you – your spiritual, physical and emotional health.”

Ever since the eighth grade, Adrienne Carpenter felt a desire to lead and educate others. Her experience on mission trips to Mexico with her church youth group gave her a heart for connecting with Hispanic culture and achieving Spanish fluency.

More »