Grad Ed Profiles

Shirley Bachini, licensure '07, Educational Leadership

As a full time working single mother of four children graduate school was a challenge. The graduate program requires very focused and sustained work, involves more intense relationships with faculty and other students, and makes considerably greater demands on your personal identity. My experience was topnotch and memorable. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to further their education.

Abigail Bargende, B.S. '05, M.A.T. '09, Reading

The coursework was both rich with research and practical to my everyday classroom teaching. I am constantly sharing ideas from my classes at Gordon with colleagues at work. I actually looked forward to going to classes because I knew that I would be surrounded by educators who are as excited with teaching as I am. The professors led us to think deeply about our teaching but also respected us as professional teachers. I feel confident to enter the field of reading specialty after my time at Gordon.

Elizabeth Bregou, B.S. '06, current M.A.T. student, Reading

I graduated from Gordon College with a degree in early childhood education and remained in contact with some of the professors as I began my teaching career. Through contacts at Gordon, I was encouraged to begin the graduate education program with a reading specialist concentration, as literacy instruction is fundamental in the early childhood classroom. As a result of this program, I enter my classroom confident in my understanding of current theory and practice in reading, empowered to improve my literacy instruction, and knowledgeable of the individual needs of my students. The professors truly promote excellence in education as they work diligently to meet the needs of the adult leader and equip today's educators with the tools to be successful in their field.

Gordon College's graduate education program is unlike other adult learning environments because of the dedicated and knowledgeable professors. I found that the professors are accommodating to personal needs yet passionate about their field, which promotes excellence from their students.

This fall I will be teaching Kindergarten in the Stoneham Public Schools, Stoneham, MA.

Jessica Caccese, M.Ed. '07, Elementary Education

Upon discerning God's call for me I concluded that I was to become a teacher. But how? He led me to Gordon College quite clearly by showing me its faithful, well-informed faculty, the enriching courses offered there (especially the strong emphasis on teaching reading), the numerous opportunities given for practical experience, and the compassion everyone showed for my future students. In two years time I felt ready for the classroom, and when it came time to answer God's call, I was.

Jessica was recently named "Rookie Teacher of the Year" by her school district.

Melanie Duncan, B.S. '05, M.A.T. '08, Elementary Education

My husband and I are currently living in Stoneham and I am teaching kindergarten in Burlington, MA. 

Gordon influenced me in more ways than I probably realize. There are two that stand out: (1) Gordon has helped me become a more reflective learner and teacher. I have learned that it is crucial to reflect on lessons to determine what went well and what I could do differently to make improvements. (2) It also helped me to appreciate the action research process, which is something that I am starting to do more of in my classroom. Teachers need to be constantly learning and deliberate in the way they research and implement strategies and techniques to be effective educators.

I just graduated with my Master's degree through Gordon. I have learned a lot about my own philosophy of education as well as meaningful ways to engage students in learning. I find that I learn something new almost every day! I was especially blessed last year to work with an extraordinary teacher who taught me a lot about teaching and instilled in me an even stronger desire to work with children.

John Dupuis, M.A.T. '09, Educational Leadership

Gordon's Educational Leadership program gave me the experience, confidence and knowledge to accomplish my goal of earning my Master's degree, while also receiving my principal's certification from the DESE. The set-up of the course requirements, excellence of the professor's styles and most importantly - collaborating with other area teachers within the program made my time within the program personally rewarding. 

If someone had any aspirations to advance their professional status, I highly recommend the Educational Leadership program at Gordon College.

Auriana Halsey, B.S. '07, current M.A.T. student, Reading

My favorite thing about getting my master's at Gordon is that the professors and staff go out of their way to support you as a person, as a learner, and as a teacher. Months after a course I emailed the professor about an assessment tool she used and she immediately responded with a link to a website where I could get it. I am often receiving emails from my advisor about teaching opportunities, scholarships, and classes. When there is a need among the students, the staff is very responsive. When the Orton-Gillingham centers filled up quickly this spring, Gordon responded by creating a class that provided students with the same opportunity.

Christopher Love, B.S. '04, current M.A.T. student, Moderate Disabilities

Saying that teaching is a unique and powerful way of impacting students' lives is not an understatement. Gordon has a staff of professors that are passionate about educating. That sort of genuine enthusiasm can be infectious.

I have spent the last five years teaching physics in local public high schools. Along the way, I have learned the importance of collaborating with other teachers, even those outside your discipline. I have also understood that success in teaching is an incremental process involving self-analysis, collaboration, planning, and lots of patience. Gordon has also opened doors for me employment-wise. It is very well regarded by area schools as an institution that puts out well-prepared educators.

I currently live in Newbury and teach Physics at Masconomet Regional High School in Topsfield, MA. I am still a student at Gordon! I should be done with my Masters of Arts in Teaching by December 2009.

Amanda McBride, B.S. '08, current M.A.T. student, Reading

The Reading Specialist Master's Program at Gordon offers students reputable, high-quality instruction with familiar professors, fresh curriculum, and a lower cost of attendance. The instructors cater to the needs of working professionals, whether they are currently employed in education, out of the field, or recent graduates.

Julie McGovern, M.Ed. '09, Early Childhood

I received a high quality education from Gordon. The knowledgeable, dedicated faculty, along with the small class sizes and individualized attention I received truly helped me maximize my potential as a teacher.

Bonnie Merriam, current M.A.T. student, Reading

God has richly blessed me through my educational experience at the Graduate School at Gordon College! I have been provided with the educational tools needed to be successful in my workplace and to reach my career goals. The professors demonstrated knowledge and expertise in their content area and facilitate learning with care and enthusiasm.

Amanda Panikian, B.A. '95, M.A.T. '05, Elementary Education

For me, teaching is more than just input. It's an ongoing relationship, built on integrity, creativity, and trust. It's a unique opportunity to impact the lives of children and families and to live out my calling as a servant of God in a tangible way. Gordon College honors the inseparable bond of faith and learning in a way that equipped me to teach the whole child: mind, heart, and hands. In a generation that puts so much emphasis on test scores, numbers, and deadlines, we need more teachers who are willing to really see a child the way God sees him, and to help him navigate his way through the data with professionalism and compassion. Just like I want my students to be more than just a number, I wanted my graduate school experience to be personal. The faculty and staff at Gordon treated me like a human being—one with a full time job, babies at home, and a husband in seminary! Their commitment to excellence, personal attention, flexibility and genuine interest made my graduate experience one that truly respected my needs and challenged me to be a leader in my school.

Geraldine White, M.Ed. '00, Early Childhood   

For the last 21 years I have been a preschool teacher in Georgetown, Massachusetts—constantly amazed at how 3–5-year-olds learn and how much they can accomplish when they are challenged to think and stretch themselves. I was given many opportunities at Gordon to push myself beyond what I thought I could do. I was also given the opportunity to appreciate the beauty in God's natural world and have shared that with my students. The first time I saw a dandelion magnified in Professor Olney's field botany class was magical.  

In addition to exploring the works of artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Brancusi, Degas, etc., we also look at the work of a children's author/illustrator each year. In 2000 the children studied Lois Ehlert. Her bright illustrations captured the children's interest. After reading many of her books, the children wrote and illustrated a book in "Lois Ehlert" style. The resulting book, Fish Count, was professionally printed by one of our moms. The class had been in contact with a dad who was stationed in Iraq, working to open schools there—especially schools for girls. We sent 200 books to Iraq and then sold several hundred more and used the proceeds to buy science equipment to send to the girls' school in Iraq. We even had a chance to share our story on the Liz Walker Sunday morning show on WBZ TV. Not only were the children able to have the satisfaction of creating a book, but they were able to share in the joy of helping children thousands of miles away begin their educational journey.