Becca Whitney currently serves as a kindergarten teacher in the Columbus, Ohio area, but her journey into Christian education began long before that. “I first became interested in becoming a teacher during high school,” she says. “I vividly remember the desire the Lord placed on my heart as I watched my teachers pour into my life, investing their time and wisdom to help me grow.” Specifically, she cites the passion and care of her high school US History teacher, which caused her desire for teaching to blossom.
After graduation, she completed her undergraduate studies at another Christian college, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. While still in school, she began sensing the Lord’s call toward educational leadership through observing the administrators and principals of the schools she attended. “Their roles in guiding schools and supporting both teachers and students were inspiring to me,” she notes.
After graduating, she moved to Ohio to teach at Madison Christian School, a classical Christian school that began in 1978. Though it started as only a pre-school, it has grown to include a K-12 program of over 500 students. She is now finishing her second year in education, serving as a kindergarten teacher. “I love being part of shaping the hearts of my students – guiding them as they grow in virtue and deepen their love for the Lord,” she says. “There’s something so special about the way they cherish even the smallest things like the way they see the world with such wonder and joy. It’s a beauty I never want to overlook or take for granted.”
Almost immediately, Whitney began exploring the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership from BJU. “My dad, sister, and husband are all graduates of Bob Jones University,” she shares. “Hearing them speak so highly of their experiences there—and seeing the opportunities and exceptional education that equipped them both academically and professionally—left a strong impression on me.”
She was especially drawn to BJU’s SCOPE online learning, appreciating its affordability, flexibility, and the immediate support she received from her first interaction with the team. “Each course equipped me with skills that have helped me grow as a teacher, communicator, and leader within my school. The professors are exceptional and genuinely invested in their students’ growth. They desire to see you learn, develop, and succeed as you continue your educational journey.”
Between teaching full‑time and pursuing graduate studies, Becca already had a full plate. But halfway through her program, she added another joyful milestone—marriage. Balancing all of these responsibilities was no small task, yet she was still able to finish the program in just twenty‑one months. “It definitely took some diligence, discipline, and grit,” she says. “The courses are thoughtfully designed to help students succeed, even while balancing a full-time job. I was also very thankful for my family and husband. Their support gave me the extra boost I needed! It was very manageable and worth it!”
Both the Educational Leadership and Teaching and Learning graduate degrees culminate with a capstone experience. For her action research project, Whitney examined the impact reading groups and reading centers had on improving kindergarteners’ reading accuracy. She believes that this project, “Gave me the opportunity to develop something meaningful that I have continued to build on beyond graduate school. It has benefited my classroom tremendously and has also allowed me to collaborate with and support my colleagues as we continue to grow together as a team at our school.”
One of the unexpected blessings Becca experienced was the community she found along the way. “After my second or third course, I began noticing familiar faces within the program,” she says. “The group discussions and communication with others who were taking the same classes encouraged me and helped push me even further in the program. The peer discussions, reflections, and group projects were incredibly valuable and enriched my experience throughout the program.” Last May, at the commencement ceremony, she had the opportunity to meet many of these fellow classmates for the first time in person.
Although she has been out of the program for less than a year, Whitney is already seeing the fruit of her investment. She has stepped into leadership roles within her kindergarten team and is regularly assisting her administrative team with school community events and needs within the primary building. For example, she has been asked by her administration team to become a mentor for a new teacher next year, serve as the lead kindergarten teacher, and lead a professional development seminar next school year about effective parent communication.
When asked what she would tell someone considering a degree in Educational Leadership, Becca returns to what has shaped her journey from the beginning: trust in the Lord’s leading. “My advice to someone considering the Educational Leadership program would be to allow the Lord to open the door,” she says. “If He is calling you to pursue this program, trust that He will faithfully provide the opportunities and means to make it possible.” She directs anyone considering the program to 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”
Whitney is just beginning her path in educational leadership, but one thing is certain: she is grateful for the lessons learned in the Educational Leadership program. “If I had the chance, I would gladly take the entire program again. It was incredibly beneficial to me as a teacher, and I know the lessons I learned will continue to serve me as I grow into leadership roles in the future.”
