Clarissa Crowley, one of the first Adolescence to Young Adult Education (AYA) Mathematics majors at Ohio Christian University, set her sights high when she decided to major in STEM education to transform young lives.
Serving as a ‘guinea pig’ for the new AYA curriculum with its advanced, yet enticing, and rigorous materials, Crowley’s goal for herself is not only propelling her into the future, but also enabling her to demonstrate faith-based leadership to her peers.
Becoming a servant leader wasn’t always in the cards for Crowley. Higher education seemed unobtainable to her until a former OCU president arrived to vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN, Crowley’s hometown.
“Until I encountered OCU’s former president who shared about the university, I never imagined attending college was within my reach. I felt driven to succeed, but I wasn’t sure what steps to take. With a scholarship obtained through guidance of OCU’s Financial Aid Office, I am acquiring a quality higher education. It was God’s will that I discovered here is where to earn my teaching degree.”
Many students like Crowley struggle with unknowns in finding their way to and through college. However, as her story demonstrates, God enables us to succeed, especially when we align with His will and calling for us. “After OCU’s president heard my testimony at our church, he introduced himself and told me about OCU, and, through prayer and trusting God, I decided to come.”
In her junior year now, Crowley feels OCU’s AYA Teacher Education program is phenomenal: “It is preparing me to be highly equipped in the classroom. I have no doubt I will continue and become an inspiration to others. OCU has taught me to take chances. Through Christ, we can do anything.”
Articles of Interest
Ohio Christian to Host Education Summit in November
Published: October 16, 2019
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders to discuss Ohio’s new
strategic education plan “Each Child, Our Future” and the next steps
moving forward. The event will be held in Ohio Christian’s Ministry
Ohio Christian University is pleased to welcome government officials,
teachers and the public to its 2019 Education Summit on Nov 15. The purpose
of the summit is to bring in education stakeholders
Trailblazers in Reading
Published: August 12, 2019
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men and women in Professor Anita Conkel and Professor Scott
Barr’s English composition classes. On April 15, students marked their
participation in “The Great American Read” with a celebration sponsored
by the English Department and hosted by the Maxwell Library staff.
“The Great American Read” is a nationwide event started by the Public
Broadcast System (PBS) in 2018. One hundred influential and
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men and women in Professor Anita Conkel and Professor Scott
Barr’s English composition classes. On April 15, students marked their
participation in “The Great American Read” with a celebration sponsored
Submitted by Professor Scott Barr
American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, “How many a man has dated a new
era in his life from the reading of a book.” This holds true for many of
the young men
OCU Assisted with Summer Institute for Teachers
Published: June 14, 2019
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Pickaway
County ESC to design an institute that would benefit many educators.
Courses offered for graduate credit included Trauma Informed Care Training
II, Orton-Gillingham Training, and Google Classroom Training.
The Ohio Christian University Teacher Education Department believes in
providing excellent and effective professional development for the teachers
and the school
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Pickaway
County ESC to design an institute that would benefit many educators.
Courses offered for graduate credit included Trauma Informed Care Training
II, Orton-Gillingham Training, and
The 2019 Summer Institute took place on June 3-7. The Ohio Christian
University Teacher Education Department partnered with Circleville City
Schools, Pickaway County Board of Developmental
OCU T.E. Group Observes Educators in Finland and Sweden
Published: June 6, 2019
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to study the top-two school
systems in the world. The group was able to tour a Finnish grade school to
observe their curriculum and instruction and speak with the students and
teachers. In Sweden, the group visited a university and were able to learn
about Swedish high schools and the transition to higher education. In
addition to the focus on education, the group did some sightseeing and
learned
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to study the top-two school
systems in the world. The group was able to tour a Finnish grade school to
observe their curriculum and instruction and speak with the students and
teachers. In Sweden, the
During summer break, Dr. Valerie Jones, Teacher Education Chair and Dr.
Jeanne Bruce, Associate Professor, traveled with five pre-service educators
to Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden to
Summer Institute Courses
Published: May 10, 2019
This summer, Ohio Christian University is offering summer courses that will
help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work towards a graduate degree. The
institute gives instructors the opportunity to earn degrees and gain
knowledge in a shorter period of time.
Each course lasts for six weeks and counts as three credit hours. There will
be two separate six-week terms throughout the summer. The cost of these
graduate level classes is $990 per course. There is a simple application and
approval process for the program.
The University will also be offering special topic classes that count
This summer, Ohio Christian University is offering summer courses that will
help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work towards a graduate degree. The
institute gives instructors the opportunity to earn degrees and gain
knowledge in a shorter period of time.
Each course lasts for six weeks and counts as three credit hours. There will
be two separate six-week terms throughout the summer. The
This summer, Ohio Christian University is offering summer courses that will
help K-12 and undergraduate instructors work towards a graduate degree. The
institute gives instructors the opportunity
Archived Articles of Interest
New Year Brings Opportunity and Challenge
Published: January 2, 2019
2019 brings opportunities to attain your educational goals. We would love to
help you with your fresh start.
In education, sports, work, and personal relationships, for Christians, the
difference is understanding the key to maturing spiritual development as
expressed in Christ’s parable in the Gospel of Luke 5:36-38 (NIV):
“No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise,
they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not
match the old. 37 And, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise,
the new wine will burst the skins; the
2019 brings opportunities to attain your educational goals. We would love to
help you with your fresh start.
In education, sports, work, and personal relationships, for Christians, the
difference is understanding the key to maturing spiritual development as
expressed in Christ’s parable in the Gospel of Luke 5:36-38 (NIV):
“No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one.
2019 brings opportunities to attain your educational goals. We would love to
help you with your fresh start.
In education, sports, work, and personal relationships, for Christians, the
difference
Student Profile: Heather Tucker
Published: December 7, 2018
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Serving others, loving children, and seeking to have a heart like Jesus is
how Heather Tucker describes her passion for becoming an Intervention
Specialist through Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program.
With her focus on special needs, Heather seeks opportunities to serve on
campus and in the community.
Tuckers’ key accomplishments and inspiration have been in the Special
Olympics. She helps in training and competition of children and adults with
intellectual disabilities. She has been involved in helping these individuals
develop their fitness
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Serving others, loving children, and seeking to have a heart like Jesus is
how Heather Tucker describes her passion for becoming an Intervention
Specialist through Ohio Christian University’s Teacher Education program.
With her focus on special needs, Heather seeks opportunities to serve on
campus and in the community.
Tuckers’ key accomplishments and inspiration have
By Amber Ginter ‘19
Serving others, loving children, and seeking to have a heart like Jesus is
how Heather Tucker describes her passion for becoming an Intervention
Specialist through Ohio
Professor Valerie Jones Named Faculty Member of the Year
Published: November 29, 2018
Dr. Valerie Free Jones, chair of Ohio Christian University’s Department of
Teacher Education, has been recognized as Faculty Member of the Year for
2017-2018.
Professor Jones was awarded her doctorate in education, specializing in
curriculum and instruction from Marshall University in 2017. Her dissertation
on “The Whole Building is a Classroom: An Oral History of the School’s
Role in the Culture of the Community” featured the well-known high school
from which she graduated.
Jones earned her Bachelor of Science in Education cum laude at Ohio
University, and her Master of Arts in
Dr. Valerie Free Jones, chair of Ohio Christian University’s Department of
Teacher Education, has been recognized as Faculty Member of the Year for
2017-2018.
Professor Jones was awarded her doctorate in education, specializing in
curriculum and instruction from Marshall University in 2017. Her dissertation
on “The Whole Building is a Classroom: An Oral History of the School’s
Role in the
Dr. Valerie Free Jones, chair of Ohio Christian University’s Department of
Teacher Education, has been recognized as Faculty Member of the Year for
2017-2018.
Professor Jones was awarded her
Hands-on Teaching: OCU Professor Keeps Science 'Fun'
Published: November 19, 2018
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 14, 2018
When teaching, Rolanda Hurtt believes a hands-on approach is a way to keep
both students and teachers interested and engaged.
Hurtt, an Affiliate Professor in the Teacher Education department at Ohio
Christian University, shares her hands-on approach with her students who can
then pass it on to their students once they are in the classroom.
“We always try to have fun,” she said. “I want my students at OCU to
enjoy what we’re
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 14, 2018
When teaching, Rolanda Hurtt believes a hands-on approach is a way to keep
both students and teachers interested and engaged.
Hurtt, an Affiliate Professor in the Teacher Education department at Ohio
Christian University, shares her
By Steven Collins, Senior Reporter, Circleville Herald
Photo by Nancy Radcliff, Chief Photographer, Circleville Herald
Circleville Herald, November 14, 2018
When teaching, Rolanda Hurtt believes
Chapel Speaker Touts Value of Liberal Arts Education
Published: November 19, 2018
By Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Institutional
Effectiveness
Dr. Rick Bartlett, Director of Theological Education at Tabor College spoke
at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel Service on Wednesday, October 31. He
encouraged students to value their liberal arts education as the best way to
prepare for the future.
Dr. Bartlett reminded students of the speed with which technology has changed
in their lifetimes. They can recall YouTube videos that were so influential a
few years ago but have run their course. Likewise, many jobs like
telemarketer, paralegal, and
By Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Institutional
Effectiveness
Dr. Rick Bartlett, Director of Theological Education at Tabor College spoke
at Ohio Christian University’s Chapel Service on Wednesday, October 31. He
encouraged students to value their liberal arts education as the best way to
prepare for the future.
Dr. Bartlett reminded students of the speed with which
By Cynthia Tweedell, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President for Institutional
Effectiveness
Dr. Rick Bartlett, Director of Theological Education at Tabor College spoke
at Ohio Christian University’s
