Jack Gibson

With two teaching certifications and two student-teaching semesters, Jack Gibson '17 left Calvin more than prepared to start his teaching career in China.

Current role: Math Teacher at Shenyang International School (China)

How did Calvin’s education program prepare you for working as a teacher?
The Calvin education program incorporates a wide variety of courses which challenge each student to grow into a more complete teacher. Expect to come away from the Calvin education program with in-depth content area knowledge and an abundance of pedagogical strategies. At the time of my graduation from Calvin, I felt incredibly confident in my ability to manage a classroom, implement curriculum and facilitate the growth of my students.

What kinds of classroom experience did you get through Calvin’s teacher education program?
During my time at Calvin, I had a plethora of valuable classroom experiences. From teaching science lessons in a rural Christian school to leading phonetics instruction in an inner-city public school, Calvin provides its prospective teachers with a wide variety of practical experiences. Due to my dual certification, I had the opportunity to complete two student teaching experiences. In the fall of my senior year, I participated in the Chicago Semester in which I taught middle school mathematics in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood. In the spring, I worked as a special education teacher in the Kentwood Public School system.

What part of Calvin’s mission resonates with you, and why?
I highly value Calvin’s call for students to “think deeply.” Calvin challenges students to confront systemic injustices that permeate our society. As a prospective teacher in the Calvin education program, I was pushed to consider how I could counteract the problems that the current education system faces.

What’s one thing that surprised you about Calvin?
One aspect of Calvin that surprised me was the relationships that I was able to develop with my education professors. Growing up, I had always heard stories of disconnect between students and professors at the college level. At Calvin, professors seek to get to know you on both a personal and professional level. They understand who you are, where you come from and how you learn best.