College of Education

The December 2018 graduates of the College of Education celebrated the end of their student-teaching experiences on Monday night, reflected on what they learned and expressed their appreciation for the COE faculty who thoroughly prepared them to teach. “I knew teachers did a lot and I knew how much I loved and appreciated them, but you don’t really, truly understand how much you love teachers until you have to be in the position to teach,’’ said elementary education aspiring teacher Sarah Schalick.

“There’s real science going on … there’s real innovation,” Provost Dr. Hank Radda said during Wednesday’s Undergraduate Learning Community and Research Symposium. Student presenters spoke to the audience about everything from the Desert Owl Population Improvement Project to the Bible Virtual Reality Project and one team’s attempt to help nonprofits digitize their paper surveys.

It was a serendipitous moment when Jerry Colangelo dialed Nathan Johnson’s number, granting his wish for $5,000 in physical education equipment for his students at Westwood Elementary. Colangelo is connected to GCU as a benefactor whose name graces the Colangelo College of Business, and Johnson is a GCU alumnus. The Lopes were also involved in the Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers initiative as sponsors and as wish granters, and Dr. Kimberly LaPrade, the Dean of the College of Education, selected the names of three lucky teachers from the large red plastic apple.

The Leap to Teach & Lead Career Expo and Networking Event, a collaborative effort by Grand Canyon University’s College of Education, Career IMPACT Center and Strategic Educational Alliances was mutually beneficial. “Lopes Leap to Teach is a win-win for both our students and the school districts,” said Dean of the COE, Dr. Kimberly LaPrade as she walked among dozens of employers and potential employees along the Promenade.

The growth of the Educators Rising Arizona Fall Leadership Conference was evident last week when high school students joined their college brethren on campus, attending opening remarks and the keynote speech, along with breakout sessions between dining on Lopes Way and in the Student Union. With 641 attendees, participation has doubled in less than three years.

Graduates of the online program at Grand Canyon University always have inspirational stories to tell, and this year they were equally inspired by keynote speaker Gian-Paul Gonzalez’s talk — and by the celebration that is a GCU commencement ceremony.

If the graduates at fall commencement didn’t know about ninth-grade world history teacher and New York Giants chaplain Gian-Paul Gonzalez before they got to GCU Arena, they sure do now. Gonzalez’s keynote addresses at the five ceremonies were a hit every time, and in addition to all the standing ovations he also was descended upon by a sea of thankful listeners when he came out to watch the “tunnel walk” after the Saturday morning ceremony.

Photos by David Kadlubowski and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The final fall commencement ceremony at Grand Canyon University was solely for the College of Education. There were 725 graduates participating Saturday afternoon.  

Photos by Slaven Gujic and Travis Neely GCU News Bureau The Friday evening ceremony of fall commencement at Grand Canyon University featured 637 nontraditional graduates in the College of Education and College of Nursing and Health Care Professions (bachelor’s level).      

Eighty GCU students are in the class room already, gaining valuable experience by teaching lessons in math, science, social studies and art at nearby Westwood Elementary for students from preschool through Grade 3.