Echo Spring 2023 - 26

Beth Manyara
poses with her
children, from
left, Sara, Lydia
and Abigail, at a
Mornings with
Mom event
at Lititz Area
Mennonite School.
I
n the fall of 2022, Lancaster Bible College |
Capital Seminary & Graduate School began
its first-ever cohort for the online Doctor of
Education: Educational Leadership (EdD)
My educational background before LBC | Capital: I attended Rosedale
Bible College (it was still an Institute in those days!) right out of high school
and earned a one-year Biblical Studies Certificate. Later, I completed my
undergraduate and master's degrees in Special Education at The Ohio State
University.
program.
LBC | Capital's EdD online program is designed
for educators who desire to make a difference
through servant leadership and are inspired to lead
positive, systemic change to influence teaching
and learning for all students.
The first cohort consists of three impressive
educators with varied backgrounds who each
have a passion to lead well as they impact
students' lives.
" Seeing these three women walk across the stage
to receive their diplomas and doctoral hoods
will be such a joy! " said Dr. Robin S. Bronkema,
Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate
Programs for the Education Department. " We are
proud to have them represent the first cohort of
the EdD in Educational Leadership at LBC | Capital,
as they are women who have demonstrated
a love for the Lord and a deep commitment
to education through their leadership roles as
teachers, advocates and researchers, as well as
their ministry roles in the local church. Their
unique experiences have been instructive to me. "
Meet Beth Manyara, Pearl Pope and Aeseun Yoon:
How I have served in the field of education: I have been involved in teaching
in some form since high school-teaching Sunday school, leading Wednesday
morning Bible study at school or volunteering in the Life Skills classroom.
While on a mission team in Russia, I found my passion for teaching students
with special needs. After college graduation, I worked at West Nairobi School,
Kenya, as a resource teacher. Ours was the only American curriculum school
that offered a class for higher-need students and a direct instruction Corrective
Reading program that I brought with me. I learned a lot about how to be
resourceful, collaborate with other teachers and approach special education
from an " out of the box " perspective. When I returned to the U.S., I substitute
taught for a few years, then started my current job with PA Migrant Education.
Working alongside immigrant families and students has been a tremendous
privilege.
My professional goals in education include: I want to continue to expand
my advocacy for English Language Learner students and their families. My goal
is to provide consultation services for schools in best practice immigrant family
engagement strategies and how the world of education can adjust policy to
ensure ELL student success. I have also dreamed of opening a school that is
unique in how it approaches newcomer learning, focusing on explicit reading
instruction for any student who needs it and other skills necessary for success
after graduation.
Why I chose LBC | Capital for my EdD: First, it was in a format that I was able
to access without moving my family! Being fully online allowed me to rearrange
my life with minimal disruption to my children. I also live nearby, so I can go to
campus if I ever have the need. Secondly, the Educational Leadership program
class list was exactly what I had been looking for in a degree. I was super excited
to learn the material in each course description. And lastly, LBC has a wonderful
reputation in this area, and I was confident that not only would the course
content be rigorous, but a Christian worldview would be upheld at the highest
level of integrity.
Thus far, the best aspect of LBC | Capital's EdD program has been: The
professors! Each has been well-suited to the topics they teach. Their passion for
education, willingness to work with the extra challenges of adult education and
expertise have been a blessing to me. They integrate faith seamlessly into the
content and challenge us to think deeply about how it impacts our leadership.
I also am enjoying getting to know the two other amazing ladies in this cohort.
They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our discussions that I have
learned so much from. I am excited to continue this journey with them.
I am grateful for my life's calling in education because: Education is one field
that is never boring, always presenting new challenges! It keeps me learning and
growing. It is also an honor to be a part of an immigrant student's journey. As
I have worked to advocate for my students, I have gained so much from their
stories and the obstacles they have overcome adjusting to life in the U.S. Quality
education makes all the difference, and it is humbling to be in a position to
influence lives.
26 ECHO
Echo Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2023
