Angela Dong

  • Major: Elementary Education
  • Minor: Integrated Science, English as a Second Language
  • Grad Year: 2018
  • Hometown: Tianjin, China

For Angela Dong '18, Calvin’s education program is bringing countless opportunities to work in different teaching environments.

What kinds of classroom experience did you get through Calvin’s teacher education program?
One thing I love about the education program is that I get to be in different kinds of classrooms. So far, I have taught in a wealthy private school, a Christian private school, a public school, schools that are less fortunate with financial support and so on. I have had the chance to interact with students with vastly different family backgrounds, religions, financial situations and personalities. Because of all my experiences, I’ve learned how to care for my students in unique and individual ways—and how to give them hope about the future.

What sets Calvin’s education program apart from others? How did Calvin equip you in ways other programs may not have?
I love that we are required to learn many subject areas thoroughly. If we're going to be teachers, so we have to be well-equipped to guide our students across many different disciplines and areas of interest.

Because of all those classes, I developed to be more rounded in knowledge. I know how to identify rocks and minerals, how to do shadow puppet shows, how to identify and collect good books, how to approach and use new technologies, how to be a story-teller, how to carry out a science experiment, how to interact and work productively with different people (parents, social workers, principals, etc.) and so on.

What’s one thing you would want to tell someone starting their journey at Calvin?
Treasure every moment. Four years might seem to be extremely long at first (or when you have a long essay to finish), but they go by so fast. When you live in the dorm, treasure every dorm activity and floor event, especially your floormates. Embrace that community! When you move out of the dorm, treasure your flatmates and all those crazy moments. Also, find time to hang out with your close friends, even if you’re just grabbing lunch together at Commons. When you have a huge test or paper coming soon, don’t grumble about it. Enjoy those intense study moments. Don’t try to wish for something that might not be your story, and don’t always rush to get to the future, because you never will. Future is something that we will never have, because when you get to the future it becomes present. Enjoy the “present” you have right now.

What part of Calvin’s mission resonates with you, and why?
Think deeply.

In every class I've taken so far, my professors have challenged me to think beyond what's printed in the textbook. For example, in my Capstone class, after reading many articles about educational facts and statistics, I'm encouraged to ask what does this mean to me? What can I do about it? During a geology trip to Montana, at a memorial site for mine accident, I was inspired to think about how can I be a responsible steward for God’s creation. I acquired all the knowledge I need, and was pushed beyond it to consider what can I do in this world to inspire others around me.

What is your favorite space on campus, and why?
The Center Art Gallery in the CFAC. It's always so quiet in there. I love to do my homework there, surrounded by many great student and alumni art pieces. I always sense that life can be so much more fun and romantic if we can pay attention to our inner inspiration.