I’m Alexa Borgman, and I’m between my junior and senior year at Grace Christian University. I’m an elementary education major with a bachelor’s in science, and I wanted to share a bit about my experience here.
Finding the Right Fit
When I was deciding on colleges, I knew exactly what I was looking for. Coming from a really large high school, I knew that I wanted a smaller, more intimate college atmosphere. Grace provides exactly that. It offered the familiar environment I was looking for, and I’ve been fortunate to be part of teams and friend groups that have made me feel like part of a family.
The Grace Partnership with Cornerstone
The elementary education program through Grace Christian University is truly eye-opening. Grace has an excellent partnership with Cornerstone University, which provides students with invaluable opportunities to learn not only in the classroom but also to gain hands-on experience teaching in various schools across different grade levels.
Here’s how it works: At Grace, I complete my prerequisites, Bible classes, and theology courses. At Cornerstone, I focus on my major and getting practical field experience. The class sizes are remarkably small, when I reach the upper-level courses, there are only about 12 students because we’re all focused on our specific educational goals.
Because of this partnership, I have a clear understanding of what to expect when I graduate. I know exactly what I want to do and what the field will look like.
Learn, Grow, Serve
Grace’s Learn, Grow, Serve theme deeply resonate with me as a future educator. Learning represents the wisdom I’m gaining across all my courses. Growing reflects my deepening relationship with Christ and my journey toward becoming more Christlike. Serving embodies what I’ll do as a teacher, it’s at the very root of my faith and my calling to education.
How Grace Shaped Me
When I first came to Grace, I was primarily focused on athletics. My priorities centered almost entirely around sports, and I initially came here just to play volleyball. However, I quickly realized that wouldn’t lead me where I wanted to be in life.
I’ve grown significantly as both a person and a friend during my time here. I’ve met some of the best friends I’ve ever had, and I’ve experienced tremendous personal growth alongside spiritual development.
The Impact of Great Professors
Dean Dykstra has profoundly impacted my perspective on life and teaching. He’s been my favorite professor over the past three years. As both a history instructor and the head of the education program, he exemplifies the kind of teacher I aspire to become, someone who genuinely impacts students as they grow. His influence has shaped my vision for my own teaching career.
The Value of This Degree
Earning a college degree is essential for my career goals. As someone who wants to be a teacher, I need to be properly educated in the field. Education is one of those professions where a degree isn’t just beneficial, it’s necessary.
My Advice
What would I tell someone considering Grace for elementary education? This partnership offers exceptional opportunities for learning and growth, both in the classroom and through field experiences. You’ll work with diverse schools and age groups, gaining comprehensive preparation for your career. By graduation, you’ll have a thorough understanding of what lies ahead, and you’ll be ready to meet those challenges.
Grace has been far more than just a place to earn a degree. It’s been a community where I’ve grown in my faith, developed meaningful relationships, and discovered my identity as both an educator and an individual.
