Stephanie Conkling ’10
Majoring in Education with a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma
Tuckahoe, NY
"Concordia is not just a closely- knit community supporting everyone that enters their doors; they are also an extended family who wants you to be the best you can be!”
Why did you decide to attend Concordia?
Coming from a rather large high school, with a graduating class of 463 students, I found it very hard to fit in. So instead of applying to a huge university, I looked for a smaller, more intimate college that offers a great Education system along with a strong Christian foundation.
Do you see how what you learn in the classroom has real-world application?
It never ceases to amaze me how much I have learned in Concordia that I have used while working in several classroom settings. Every class I have taken so far, I came away learning something new and useful.
Why did you choose Education as your Program of Study?
I have always known in the back of my mind that I would love to teach someday, but I also considered the possibility of doing full-time church work. So when I found out about Concordia’s opportunity to teach children not just math and English but also about God, I knew that I had found the perfect major.
What has been your most rewarding experience so far?
I love being involved on campus. I find my days not just filled up with classes, but with club meetings, school events, and campus jobs. Concordia has so many opportunities to congregate and I met some of the most amazing people just by getting involved.
What has surprised you most about Concordia?
Concordia College is very careful in choosing their faculty and staff and I have greatly benefited from that. The people employed here are not just exceptionally well-educated, they are friendly and supportive and very passionate in what they do.
What makes you happiest about your experience at Concordia?
That I got a top-notch education, amongst life-long friends I made along the way, with professors I can always call upon even after their office hours. Their dedication and passion I will always remember and I hope to pass the same enthusiasm on to the students in my classroom.
What do you hope to do beyond Concordia?
After this semester, I plan on doing my student teaching in St. Louis, where I grew up. Hopefully after graduation I will find a teaching job for next year at a Lutheran elementary school, along with starting my master's in Education and Religion.