Director of ACCESS/Education and Student Success faculty/Coordinator of disability services
Email: debr@hesston.edu
Phone: 620-327-8239
Office Location: Smith Center
Affiliated Departments
Educational Background
A.A., Hesston College, 1983
B.A., Goshen College, 1985
B.A., Goshen College, 1985
Personal Statement
- As a member of the faculty, I consider it a privilege to relate to students who teach me far more than I am able to teach them. Education students inspire me daily with their commitment, energy, and willingness to enter a life of service.
- As a part of the student success team, I treasure the opportunity to walk with students who face barriers on a variety of levels: a learning disability, a less than supportive home environment, or under-preparedness for college study. There is nothing more exciting than sharing the moment of accomplishment with these students who were offered a chance to demonstrate their abilities in the college setting.
- As a Hesston College alumna, I find it so rewarding to witness the "Hesston Experience" reoccurring each year. What a pleasure to observe students growing in their faith and intellect while experiencing friendships that will last a lifetime!
Courses Taught
Educ 103 Introduction to Education
Educ 210 The Exceptional Student
Educ 104 Field Experience (in education)
SCS 103 College Learning Strategies
SCS 080 College Reading Strategies
SCS 203 203 Speed Reading
SCS 165 Career Development
Educ 210 The Exceptional Student
Educ 104 Field Experience (in education)
SCS 103 College Learning Strategies
SCS 080 College Reading Strategies
SCS 203 203 Speed Reading
SCS 165 Career Development
In Addition …
The dream of becoming an educator has been a part of my life since I was a young girl. I enjoyed taking my first education classes at Hesston College in the early 80s from Al Yoder (Hesston College faculty emeritus). When the opportunity arose for me to teach these education courses, I could not pass up the chance to pass on my passion for the teaching and learning process to exploring education students!
Teaching in a middle level classroom for 17 years in both private and public school settings provides me with a lot of practical experiences to share with students. Being a parent of sons in the elementary, middle and high school levels in the local district also gives me a unique perspective of education.
As I visit with prospective students, I am always anxious to hear of their stories, their love for children, their passion for a certain subject area, a favorite educator that has impacted their lives or a sense of calling to the field of education. I stress to students enrolled in my education classes that teaching is a course of study that can take one in many directions over a lifetime. Hesston College students transfer to state universities as well as other Mennonite institutions to complete their teaching degree. I know of alumni who are putting their teaching degree to use in the inner city, in other countries and by homeschooling their own children. Others are administrators, educational consultants, and have specialized in a particular educational field such as special education or literacy.
In the education courses at Hesston College, I encourage students to look at a teaching career realistically and challenge them to think through both the struggles and rewards that lie ahead. My goal is to model the art of reflection for these future teachers and guide them in this lifelong professional activity. I believe that next to the call to be a pastor, answering God's call to teach is very real and should not be taken lightly.
Teaching in a middle level classroom for 17 years in both private and public school settings provides me with a lot of practical experiences to share with students. Being a parent of sons in the elementary, middle and high school levels in the local district also gives me a unique perspective of education.
As I visit with prospective students, I am always anxious to hear of their stories, their love for children, their passion for a certain subject area, a favorite educator that has impacted their lives or a sense of calling to the field of education. I stress to students enrolled in my education classes that teaching is a course of study that can take one in many directions over a lifetime. Hesston College students transfer to state universities as well as other Mennonite institutions to complete their teaching degree. I know of alumni who are putting their teaching degree to use in the inner city, in other countries and by homeschooling their own children. Others are administrators, educational consultants, and have specialized in a particular educational field such as special education or literacy.
In the education courses at Hesston College, I encourage students to look at a teaching career realistically and challenge them to think through both the struggles and rewards that lie ahead. My goal is to model the art of reflection for these future teachers and guide them in this lifelong professional activity. I believe that next to the call to be a pastor, answering God's call to teach is very real and should not be taken lightly.