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Huntington
"...made me think and wrestle with issues that
mattered.” |
As a teacher
in a predominately African-American school, Michael McKinney
appreciates how Huntington prepared him for teaching in
culturally diverse
settings.
When Michael
was a student, he presented outdoor environmental programs at a
camp for inner city children. He also taught African-American
and Hispanic students in Fort Wayne through a multicultural
practicum. These and other experiences provided
invaluable lessons that helped Michael land his current job. He
now teaches twelfth grade environmental systems at Cedar Hill High
School in Cedar Hill, Texas.
Michael was
first attracted to Huntington University because of the newly
built, 93,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Science Hall. “I
loved the campus and the people,” he says.
Michael
graduated from Huntington in 2006. Looking back,
he sees that the education he received prepared him well to be a science teacher. “When I am teaching a
concept, I have to know it inside and out,” he says. “The
students will become confused if that is not the case. These
kids have some good questions about what they are learning. If
not for my science professors, I would not be able to give them
answers.”
Among his other
challenges on the job, Michael tries to motivate his students to
learn. “Some of my students do not like science, and they are
counting down the days to graduation.”
Michael majored
in biology
education at
Huntington, but also studied other sciences to supplement his
major. He took several physics and chemistry classes and
believes that his overall knowledge of science is better than
some of his peers. “Many teachers know the subject they teach
but not the other sciences.”
The professors
at Huntington also helped Michael establish a Christian
perspective on science. Michael appreciates that the faculty did
not impose their views on him but instead encouraged all
students to think for themselves. Elsewhere, Michael says, “faith is strongly discouraged. Everything needs to be explained
naturally. There are so many times when I would wonder how
anyone could not believe in God when looking at all the design
in the world.”
Not only did
his professors provide a solid education, but they made efforts
to befriend Michael. He appreciated the faculty’s caring nature
more than any other aspect of Huntington University.
“Dr. Burch and
Dr. Evans were people I could always talk to no matter what the
situation. I can still call them up and talk about what is going
on in my life and theirs.” Michael adds, “How many students from
big schools can say they babysat their professors’ kids?”
Michael says he
also formed close relationships with other students.
Extracurricular activities offered Michael many opportunities to
meet friends. He was involved with the campus radio station, international education
honor society and various intramural sports.
Reflecting on
his college experience, Michael says he grew spiritually. “Being
in the dorm around other guys who are going through the same
things as you is very encouraging. We would have weekly Bible
study and prayer time,” Michael said. “Guys would keep each
other accountable." Huntington's chapel programs helped Michael
integrate faith and learning. “The chapels made me
think and wrestle with issues that mattered,” he says.
Michael’s
advice to future Huntington students? “Work as hard as possible
to learn everything you can from the great professors you have.”
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