Since her graduation from Dana College in 1990
with a degree in international communication and German, Christopherson-Clark
has chosen the demanding field of teaching in Waldorf schools.
In 1996, she earned a master’s of education degree in
elementary education and early childhood, along with Waldorf
certification from Antioch New England Graduate School. She
went on to teach at the Waldorf School of Milwaukee (Wis.)
and the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh (Penn.)
As a Waldorf school teacher, Christopherson-Clark teaches
the same group of students from first through fifth grades,
and sometimes longer. Waldorf teachers are required to weave
singing, recorder playing, movement, painting, poetry, sculpture,
drawing, reading, writing, science, history and mathematics
into their daily lessons. This philosophy of teaching is based
on the belief that the human being is not just a brain, but
a being of will and feeling, as well as of intellect. Each
subject studied aims to contribute to the development of a
well-balanced individual.
Christopherson-Clark’s performance as a Waldorf teacher
has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers, themselves
some of the teaching field’s elite.
“She is an outstanding teacher — one of those
few who take every aspect of their work seriously and devote
themselves to perfecting it,” said Mark Birdsall, faculty
chair at the Kimberton Waldorf School. “Her classroom
management was great. The students respected and obeyed her
without coercion. Her lessons were prepared with artistry and
humor. In short, she’s a great teacher.”
In his nomination of Christopherson-Clark for the award, Thomas
Hansen also cited her devotion to civic involvement. Christopherson-Clark
has served as a mentor for several teachers and volunteered
as a mentor for the Adult Degree Program for Teacher Certification
at Prescott College in Prescott, Ariz.
Perhaps most importantly, Christopherson-Clark’s colleagues
cited that she had already forged relationships with her students
and peers that will help her develop an outstanding career
in the years to come.
Dana College is a place where all students make things happen — in
their own lives and in the lives of others. Through a highly
supportive faculty and campus community, Dana students develop
interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and other important
values and knowledge as they make choices about their future.
Dana’s outstanding academic programs in business, education
and social work, among others, ensure that students have the
knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue challenging
careers or placement in graduate school.
Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution in Blair,
Neb. To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.
Dana College: Develop talents, Take charge, Build a future — We’re
with you all the way.
— END—
For more information contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu |
