Echo Spring 2023 - 6

Lana Yerkes ('80) at Wilmington Christian
School in Hockessin, Del., where she taught
elementary students for 40 years.
Photo by Robin Foster, Lana's fellow Wilmington
Christian teacher and friend
S
ince 1933, Lancaster Bible
College has educated students
to " think and live a biblical
worldview and to proclaim
Christ by serving Him in the
Church and society. " This legacy is
handed down through educators who
begin their education at LBC | Capital,
then instill those fundamental skills
into the Church and society through
teaching.
This is the case for Janice (Daugherty
'64) Burkholder and Lana Yerkes ('80),
two alumnae educators who carried
the lessons they learned at LBC into
classrooms of their own.
With her degree in Christian Education,
Burkholder was able to use her
knowledge of biblically integrated
teaching in Sunday school, Bible clubs
and even in her own home.
" After graduating in 1964, my husband
and I had a son in 1965 and a daughter
in 1968, " Burkholder says. " God allowed
me to use many things I learned
during the previous years as we taught
our children to love God. "
Burkholder was also busy outside the
home with ministry, as she taught
children in her church.
" I taught Sunday School to children
and youth for approximately 50 years
and coordinated the summer Backyard
Bible Club program for 10 years at
Grace Church in Ephrata, where we
currently attend, " Burkholder shares.
" I (also) taught using Evangelical
Teacher Training material at the
Bible Fellowship Church in Ephrata.
The students were adults who were
considering teaching a Sunday school
class. Some students were newer
believers and had never attended
Sunday school, so they really had
no idea what was expected of them.
Other students were Christians and
just needed some encouragement to
get involved. "
Burkholder says her favorite part of
teaching was the reactions of the
students to what they were learning.
" The most exciting part of teaching
Sunday school was when a child asked
a question that indicated they were
really listening and understanding
what was being taught, " Burkholder
remembers. " The ultimate joy was
praying with a child who wanted to
ask Jesus to forgive them for their sins. "
Burkholder also says it was enjoyable
for the adults to be excited about
leading their own classes.
" My favorite part about teaching adults
was the reaction of the students
when they realized they could teach
God's Word, " Burkholder says. " They
were enthusiastic about having a class
and teaching them from the Bible.
They were growing spiritually while
they were teaching others to love God
and obey Him. "
Burkholder also taught piano and
organ for 35 years. " Most of my
students were from Christian homes,
but even those who were not learned
hymns along with their other music, "
Burkholder says. " Several of my
Lana Yerkes is
joined by two
recent Wilmington
Christian School
graduates, Grace
Danner, left, and
Emma Davis, both
of whom Yerkes
taught in third grade.
Emma's mother, Kate
(Jones) Davis, is
also one of Yerkes'
former students
and today teaches
kindergarten at
Wilmington.
6 ECHO
Echo Spring 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2023
