College of Education

For some GCU students, the prospect of losing income during the pandemic was stressful. But the University made big efforts to keep many student workers employed, retaining nearly half in their jobs with GCU and GCE. Most could work remotely. Junior Jamie Bettis had a desktop set up right at the foot of her bed in a Phoenix apartment.

Many people want to make a huge impact on the world, said GCU junior Lidia Botia, but “I would say it is one kid at a time.” Botia has helped start a preschool in Tanzania, where she lived before coming to GCU, and wants to someday take back the lessons learned here.

Teams within the College of Education connected during the semester by meeting virtually over coffee, breakfast or lunch. It made for a happy group.

Nikita Ford had several major reasons why she could have just given up trying to obtain her master’s degree, from the births of two sons to the deaths of two family members to the disappointment of failing on her first try. But she came back and tried again, and not only did she succeed — she amazed her counselor by earning the best grades of her life.

From remote graduation parties to a graduation ceremony on Zoom to a social-distance-minded graduation dinner al fresco from a parking lot across from a Texas Roadhouse, GCU’s Lopes found a way to celebrate even though they couldn’t be together on campus for Commencement.

Theresa Killingsworth, Principal of Westwood Elementary School and a 2008 GCU graduate, never expected to be inducted into the GCU Hall of Fame. But Dr. Kimberly LaPrade, Dean of the College of Education, said the honor is richly deserved. Killingsworth’s guiding hand has been key to Westwood becoming a GCU Academic Excellence site.

College of Education Assistant Professor Katy Long led the COE faculty in creating a heartwarming visual message that was sent to its ground students, who are now studying remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, via COE Instagram and Twitter pages, the Educators Rising GCU Instagram page and individual faculty to their classes. Follow along the photos of faculty from top left to read the message: Meredith Critchfield (Dear), Nathan Hollis II (GCU), Lisa Bernier (Lopes,), Rebekah Dyer (We), Katy Long (miss), Stacy Vaught (you), Elizabeth Lemster (so), Stephanie Nilsen (very), Christy Eliserio (much), Paul Danuser (and), Michelle Keso (want), Sarah Hathaway (you), Kim Yates (to), Sister Mary Anubalu (know), Alicia Kozimor (that), Katie Kosier (you), Jena Akard (are) and Debbie Hurst (loved).

With coronavirus-prompted school closures becoming a reality, it also became an inevitability that educators would have to teach in a different way. They would have to turn to online instruction in this new era of distance learning. That’s when GCU’s K12 Educational Development Department started to think of things it could do to support teachers. “We just leaped into action and said let’s put it on a YouTube Channel; we know we can do this,” said Corinne Araza, the department’s Director of STEM Outreach and Program Development. It’s where educators can find webinars and Tip-of-the-Day videos, and where parents can find educational tips, too. The department is also supporting teachers through various social media outlets.

GCU was ready for this. After ground students were sent home to finish their studies at home because of the COVID-19 outbreak, leaders and faculty kicked into high gear by sharing its vast storehouse of expertise on online learning to insure a seamless transition as online instruction begins today. “GCU has been at the forefront in its investment in technology. We are at a time when that investment allows us to function, quite literally,” said Dr. Seanan Kelly, assistant professor in the College of Doctoral Studies and an expert in online instruction.

It was a year of firsts for GCU’s 2020 Homecoming Celebration, and based on Alumni responses, may not be one of lasts. Along with the beloved homecoming traditions such as the Derby car races, the homecoming tailgate and the Hall of Fame ceremony, alumni also got to participate in a Campfire and Cocktails social event at Canyon 49, an Alumni Reunion Mixer at GCU Arena Hall and a Golden Lopes Ceremony at the tailgate. “We’re really trying to build out some lasting traditions at the university and a reunion is something that I think resonates with a lot of people,” Alumni Relation Specialist Brianna Bell said.