A look at those who are here to provide quality education for all
Posted by The Skyliner on February 24th, 2010Jody Franklin
Staff Writer
Dr. Becky Thompson, English Professor at North Greenville University
“One of the greatest rewards is when God allows me to see that I have made a difference. You can’t measure that,” said Becky L. Thompson, English professor at North Greenville University. Since the second grade, Becky Thompson desired to be a teacher. Throughout her elementary and high school years, she saw how teachers made a difference in her life, and she wanted to do the same in the lives of others.
“It’s kind of like that pebble and the ripple effect. It’s extraordinary. It gives you that opportunity to reach out to students,” she said. Thompson enjoys the rewards of impacting her students’ lives.
Thompson started teaching at NGU in fall of 2002. Before NGU, she taught at Bob Jones University, Northland College in Wisconsin and Riverside High School. 2010 marks Thompson’s 18th year of teaching. She said that she could not imagine doing anything else besides teaching, especially in a Christian environment. She clearly recalled how God ordained NGU for her.
“I promise you, when I finally pulled onto campus, it was that feeling that this is right. When you meet people who believe it’s more than just a job, you just know it’s right,” she described.
Students enjoy her classes and teaching style because she is personal and entertaining. Thompson wants her students to know they are not just a number. They matter to her. Each semester, Thompson says she takes time to learn each and every one of her students’ names.
Farrah Gilbert, one of Thompson’s students at NGU, said, “She even remembers prayer requests that students tell her to pray for, and she asks about them later.” Gilbert added that Thompson “takes passion to the next level.”
She is known as a unique teacher because she uses visual aids like dolls, pictures and books from the actual author. Why does she utilize these unusual types of visual aids?
“As much as I can make it real and as much as I can make it mean something, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something,” said Thompson.
Another student, Anthony Garzone, said, “[Thompson] instilled in me a newfound respect for literature through her passionate spirit.” He added that he still remembered a great deal from her class. According to NGU students, Thompson will continue to be admired because she cares about them so much. Thompson declared, “I really do care about my students. I consider my students as my friends and I want what’s best for them.”
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 5