Education Department Honors Student Christopher Johnson

Knox College student Christopher Johnson has, in the words of educational studies faculty member Stephen Schroth, "always gone above and beyond to make our teacher preparation program successful."

Johnson, a senior educational studies major, is the inaugural recipient of a new award named in his honor. The award will be given annually to an outstanding student in the Educational Studies program.

"Chris really exemplifies Knox's educational studies program," Schroth said at the campus award presentation ceremony in May. "He has covered classes for faculty, when we have been away at conferences. He is a great role model for our younger students," Schroth said.

"Last summer, when Chris taught at Knox College for Kids, my niece and nephew, and [education professor] Jason Helfer's niece and nephew, and [education professor] Diana Beck's grandson were in his class," Schroth said. "That shows the level of trust that we have in him."

"This has been overwhelming for me," Johnson said after the presentation. "I recognize where it comes from. It's really great being around people who know how to teach, learning from faculty in the educational studies department who know how to work with each student as a unique individual."

A graduate of North Shore High School in Houston, Texas, Johnson is the son of Robert F. Johnson and Mirty B. Wesley of Houston. He is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and has received varsity letters in football for all four years at Knox.

Johnson will begin student teaching in the fall. "Anywhere Chris teaches, he will be great with kids," Schroth said.

Following the award presentation, local teachers met with Knox students who are majoring in educational studies and preparing for student teaching. Photo right, Galesburg grade school teacher Mary Panther, left, talks with Knox students.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 47 states and 48 countries. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.

Photo, top: Diana Beck, professor and co-chair of educational studies; Christopher Johnson; Stephen Schroth, assistant professor of educational studies.