School of Education and Humanities Dean's Welcome
Warmest welcome to all commencing and continuing students in the preservice and postgraduate courses offered by CHC's School of Education and Humanities (SEH). Our staff are thrilled that you have chosen to study with us! You will engage with Christian worldview, other educational perspectives and learning practices that are foundational to your coursework, scholarship, personal growth and professional practice.
There are many facets of the role of a Christian teacher. It also takes time, dedication and close attention to detail to develop these facets, some of which are:
1. Christian Character: This is often symbolised by the heart which Parker Palmer in The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life (1998, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, p. 11) described as: 'The connections made by good teachers are not held in their methods but in their hearts - meaning heart in the ancient sense, as the place where the intellect and emotion and spirit and will converge in the human self.'
2. A sharp, developing and enquiring mind: It was Jesus' practice, even from an early age, to use and develop his knowledge base and intellectual skills. In Luke 2:46 - Lk 2:47 (NLT) we read that, at the age of twelve: He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. If we are to be and become the Christian teachers that we believe the Lord has called us to be, then it is important to recognise that: Our Study is Service to God.
3. Skilled Professional Practice that encourages life-wide growth and life-long development. As good teaching cannot be reduced to technique (Parker Palmer 1998, p. 10), teachers must make sure that they have a diverse array of creative strategies for the content, process, learning task, motivation of learning and learners, behaviour management, group organisation and management, evaluation and assessment aspects of teaching that enhances learning, (to name a few). Consequently, I encourage you to make the integration of your: (i) character development, (ii) academic skills and scholarship, and (iii) the development of quality professional abilities a matter of priority as you work towards being the Christian that the Lord wants you to be becoming. In this way, you will promote the achievement of the College's Mission Statement in your life:
Transforming people to transform their world.
May the learning experiences in which you engage and the studies that you undertake in coursework during your course of study provoke, challenge, encourage, extend, … your personhood and your professional abilities as well as enhance your Ministry of Teaching (Ephesians 4:1-16).
Praying for you.
Dr Robert Herschell
Dean, School of Education and Humanities
