Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, prides itself in its ability not only to teach its students but to offer them the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the community.
Future teachers will have more opportunity for that as the college makes plans to offer a preschool called Stepping Stones for 4-year-olds while giving the college’s education students hands-on experience.
“Stepping Stones will be a real game-changer for our early childhood education majors,” said Timothy Van Seolen, associate professor of education at the college. “We have always provided our students with excellent internships and student teaching experiences, but our preschool takes these opportunities to a higher level.”
Van Soelen also noted the partnership between Dordt and the town of Sioux Center.
“This partnership with the city and the public and private school districts is another example of how we can live in community with one another, efficiently solving problems with pencil and paper instead of building separate buildings,” he said. “Our overall outcome would be to better prepare our students for service while providing a faith-based, high quality early learning experience for all families who desire one.”
About the Author
Kyle Hoogendoorn is a freelance news correspondent for The Banner. He lives in Rock Valley, Iowa.