Joy A. Becker, M.A.

There is an announcement and congratulations that is long overdue. Late last month, Joy completed her Master’s in Education, and I am as proud as a peacock in spring. Joy works tirelessly each week as an elementary teacher, and I see every evening just how much thought and personal energy she puts into being the best possible teacher for her mix of students.

This summer, she left the resourceful and supportive teaching environment of the northwest suburbs of Chicago, complete with ethnic diversity and economically-advantaged children (for the majority, but certainly not all). She now teaches in a rural community in Indiana, and the contrast is evident in every possible domain. But in both of these juxtaposed settings, there are very clear challenges and obstacles. Joy faces each of these with thought, intent, and care. Parents are ridiculously fortunate when their children are in her class.

On top of the daily grind of contemporary teaching, Joy spent the last eighteen months completing her master’s degree. The whole program was online, and during the entire eighteen months, we never even had the Internet. That is a modern marvel indeed. Congratulations, Joy!