塑造年轻人的心灵

Nathan Stevens dreamed of being an educator so that he could one day lead and mold young minds in the classroom. “Nearly every Lutheran school teacher I had was from a Concordia, 所以我把那件事联系起来,史蒂文斯说。. After visiting a few schools, Stevens decided to tour 欧文康考迪亚大学. “I stood next to the globe between Grimm Hall North and South,史蒂文斯说。, 当我向校园望去时, 我在那里感到联系和快乐. 欧文康考迪亚大学 was where I wanted to be.”

Stevens applied to Concordia in hopes of following in the footsteps of many of his former teachers. Upon admission, he immediately began to prepare himself to become the leader he aspired to be. He was quick to get involved in the array of extra-curriculars that Concordia has to offer. 大一那年，他加入了FUSION, a program whose goal is to involve first-year students in leadership opportunities on campus. 晚些时候, he became part of The Associated Students of 欧文康考迪亚大学 (ASCUI) Senate, where he became part of the student voice for policy-making on campus. He also served as a Resident Assistant, overseeing freshman residence halls.

In the midst of all these responsibilities, Stevens still found time to plan Night of Hope, 康考迪亚的年度慈善音乐会. He eventually received an invitation to join Omicron Delta Kappa, 全国领导荣誉协会, which later recognized him for being an exceptional leader. 在他的本科阶段, Stevens pursued roles and responsibilities that he knew would help him become a more well-rounded educator.

I stood next to the globe between Grimm Hall North and South. And as I looked out on the campus, 我在那里感到联系和快乐. 崔是我想去的地方."

Dr. 丽贝卡·彼得斯, Director of Lutheran Teacher Placement, worked closely with Stevens throughout his time at Concordia. “I had the honor of having a class with her 5 out of my 8 semesters in undergraduate studies. 在这些课程之外, she was my placement director as a Lutheran teaching student in 基督学院,史蒂文斯回忆道. “We had countless conversations about my future profession, my day-to-day college life and serious talks about faith,史蒂文斯评论道。, reflecting on how fortunate he was to have had “a professor who would be so willing to invest her time in my life.”

After completing his teaching credential, Stephens substitute taught while interviewing with Lutheran schools throughout the country in search of a permanent position. The process demanded patience, but he found the support he needed during this season. 史蒂文斯说。, “I was getting ready to move back to my home state of Arizona [to wait] out the call process. During that time I really leaned on God, but I also found so much support from my community at CUI.” He received a job offer from Beautiful Savior Lutheran School in Denver, Colorado. 经过多次祈祷和沉思, Stevens moved to the Centennial State to begin the next chapter of his life.

When a child makes a connection between what they learn in the Bible and his or her life, 这一切都非常鼓舞人心.”

Stevens teaches a 4th-6th grade combination class, but he is surrounded by children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, as the school has a special early childhood development center. “Seeing how students of different ages respond to things differently is becoming a favorite part of [teaching],他说. He is deeply moved by the advancements the children make over time. The greatest fulfillment for him lies not only in the growth that students make in academics, 也在他们的精神旅程中. “看到一个孩子做正确的事, 或者自己解决错误, or find immediate success is rewarding. I have the added bonus of being able to connect faith to life in my classroom. When a child makes a connection between what they learn in the Bible and his or her life, 这一切都非常鼓舞人心.”

Stevens gets an early start each morning so he can prepare for the day ahead. “When I get to my classroom, it is all prep time. I usually make copies, straighten things up, and catch up on grading and planning,史蒂文斯说。. 等孩子们来的时候, 我在演奏某种音乐, 不管是80年代还是60年代, 甚至是圣诞音乐.” Stevens’ efforts to ensure a positive learning environment are evidence of his dedication to his work as well as an awareness of his position as a role model in the lives of the children he teaches.

Stevens’ contribution to the academic and spiritual climate of Beautiful Savior Lutheran School can be attributed not only to his drivenness, 他对卓越的追求, 以及他天生的领导才能, but to the solid foundation he received through the 自由研究 major 在欧文的康考迪亚大学. Stevens compares his role in the lives of his students to the role that Dr. 彼得斯一生都在玩耍. 是教育, 承诺, and influence of his professors and his university that Stevens experienced while he was a student, that shaped him to become the educator he is today.