As we often tell our students, a strong liberal arts education, a teaching certificate, and a commitment to lifelong learning can open many doors. Erik Hansen, a 2016 Composite Science Education graduate, amply demonstrates that point. Hailing from Kansas, Erik enrolled at BJU with the intention of using his gifts in the medical field, but the further he progressed into his program, the more he realized that medicine might not be the best fit for his skills and life goals. His speech courses and opportunities to perform in stage and opera productions helped him recognize that he enjoyed being in the spotlight. His natural creativity and ability to understand and explain scientific concepts naturally pointed him toward a degree in science education.
Erik completed his student teaching in a chemistry class at Eastside High School in the fall of 2015. The next year he was hired to teach the same course right next door to where he had done his clinical practice. Here is his current teacher webpage. The rigorous science courses and other coursework at BJU set him up for success. It also gave him the confidence to enroll in Clemson University’s online MEd in STEAM Education, completing that degree in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
He taught his students virtually during the pandemic and afterward, students had the option to return to the classroom, Erik taught three virtual sections of chemistry in the morning with two in-person sections in the afternoon. This virtual teaching reminded him of his days being homeschooled in Kansas where much of the instruction was through video. To further his skills, he decided to complete a series of courses in virtual teaching and subsequently completed coursework to earn his ESOL certification.
When the Greenville County School District announced an adjunct opening for its first-ever virtual science teacher in 2023, Erik applied and won the position. His work in creating and facilitating these courses is in addition to his teaching position at Eastside High School. He has now recorded courses in Biology, Environmental Science, and Marine Biology. The courses are available through the Greenville County Virtual School Program and have been completed by more than 200 students. Many of these students need alternative education due to health circumstances. Click here to see a sample of the first biology lesson.
Not one to rest on his laurels, he began working on his doctorate through Liberty University in 2022 and finished his research just last month. Erik hopes to have his dissertation completed and defended in time for a spring conferral. He is earning an EdD in Instructional Design and Education Technology. His summarized dissertation topic is Improving Biology Education for English Language Learners. He hopes to improve biology instruction for Eastside’s ML students through his research.
Erik and his wife, Bethany, live in Taylors and are actively involved at Community Baptist in Greer. With three boys and a girl, they have a rich and rewarding life.
