Education is the avenue through which children and young people are nurtured toward and equipped for their callings from God in His world. Biblical nurture involves both instruction and correction in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Knowledge, skills, and values are taught that enable the next generation to assume its proper role and responsibility in advancing the kingdom of God in each particular time and place (Psalm 78:1-8; Matthew 6:33). The talents and gifts of individual students, functioning as members of Christ’s body, are discovered and developed for service.
The education core at Providence Christian College is designed to equip students to be able to teach from a distinctly reformed perspective in a manner that exalts the person and lordship of Jesus Christ and is central to all thought and practice. Throughout the program students will be given opportunities to observe and serve in local Christian schools under the mentoring guidance of master Christian teachers. The goal of the program is to prepare students to teach in Christian schools, church education programs, and home school settings. Students will be trained to teach in a biblically faithful, kingdom-advancing, and God-glorifying manner in such a way that “teaching Christianly” will have become second nature to them.
The teacher education program begins with the education core which lays a solid foundation for teaching in a variety of Christian settings. Students who do not wish to use their education core as preparation for teaching in a school can still use the courses complete the education minor. Those students who choose to use their core to prepare for teaching at either the elementary (K-8) or secondary (6-12) level must complete an education concentration. Those who want to teach at the elementary level are to take the Liberal Studies major, the Education core, and an Elementary Concentration. Those who want to teach at the secondary level must major in one of Providence’s other majors, complete the Education core and the Secondary concentration.
Providence has been granted recognition by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). Providence’s education program will prepare students for ACSI teaching certification. Therefore, students will be prepared to teach in Christian schools in North America and all over the world. Once Providence achieves regional accreditation, any student wishing to be certified through the state of California should, upon graduation from Providence, enroll in a fifth year teaching credential at a college or university approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Faculty:
Professor Steve Kortenhoeven
Professor Lynn Hoekstra
Professor Jeremy Van Nieuwenhuyzen