Carolyn Wierda
Superintendent, Bay City Public Schools
Carolyn Wierda is the Superintendent of Bay City Public Schools, a district which has hired approximately 25 of SVSU’s graduates in the last 5 years.
“The SVSU education degree signifies to those of us in the field of public education that the student has been through a rigorous selection process,” Superintendent Wierda explained. “SVSU selects students who are bright, capable, and interested in the field of education.”
“The program allows hands-on experience in the classroom as early as possible. SVSU’s TE100 class is unique in the state, and it is valuable because the sooner an individual gets to experience what it is really like to stand at the head of a classroom, the more realistic her or his career goals become.”
“Successful teachers are enthusiastic about their profession, have a love for children, are excited about their content areas, and are proud of their professional practice. By the time graduates come to us, we know that they have had many structured experiences in which they have demonstrated success.”
“Another special feature of SVSU’s program is that the faculty members have taken care to nurture relationships with districts. They know our needs and what challenges K-12 teachers are facing today, and they use this knowledge to strengthen their programs.”
“The faculty at SVSU understand that the craft of teaching is ever-changing, and they foster in their teachers an ability to make a lifelong commitment to learning and self-development.”