C. David Leonard,
Associate Professor of Education
Ed.M., M.A., Columbia University; B.S., University of South Carolina
“We get to know our students well and that creates a strong foundation for dialog among students and faculty. It feels ‘right’ to me that the communication goes both ways. This is what makes Concordia College a special place!”
What do you like best about teaching at Concordia? While it may sound like the answer one is supposed to give, the truth is that the students are truly what I like best about teaching at Concordia. We have a range of students coming from a variety of educational and cultural environments, and it’s gratifying to try to reach every student regardless of where they’re at and try to motivate them to become actively engaged in the process of teaching and learning.
What do you like best about your students? Their desire and commitment to make a positive change in our society. I like the fact that they want to make a difference in the lives of children!
What makes you most excited about teaching future teachers? Working in an education program is all about empowering teacher candidates to empower the students they’ll be working with in the future. And as my younger daughter says, “That’s awesome.”
How do you share this excitement with your students? Our students are extremely bright people, and a teacher here can’t get very far by faking things. So, I believe that our students become excited by observing the authentic excitement in their professors. It has to be there and it must be real!
Describe the atmosphere in your classroom. I think that I’m known for encouraging a very relaxed, yet focused atmosphere in my classes. I want students to feel free to try out new ideas in a non-threatening environment. After graduation we want our students to serve children as creative professionals, and they need a place to practice skills and explore their own creativity in order to do that.
What’s the best piece of advice you give your students? Be a critical thinker. Don’t abdicate your decision-making responsibilities to others—even if at the time those people appear to have more power than you.
How would you describe your teaching style? I am really into the Socratic method of teaching: I much prefer asking questions that lead to discussions than giving lectures. This is how the notion of democracy is kept alive.
What is your most prized possession? I’m one of those people who believe that you don’t really posses anything, you just get to take care of some things for a little while when you’re on this earth. In that vein, what I prize most is time spent with my children.
How do you want your students to remember you? As a person who stepped-up-to-the-plate and tried as hard as he could. And I want my students to know that I believed in them!