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Student Profile - Stephanie Koval
For Stephanie Koval, from Columbus, Ohio, it all started with an advertisement. She had just accepted a teaching position at Temple Beth Shalom in New Albany, Ohio when she spotted an advertisement for Gratz Online in the magazine, Reform Judaism. As a new teacher, Stephanie was looking to enhance her own Jewish knowledge and enrich the classroom experience. “I couldn't believe there was a program with my name on it so I contacted Dr. Sigman [director of admissions] for information and the rest is history,” says this married mother of two daughters (ages 8 and 17) who is also an executive assistant at a large insurance company and president-elect of her local chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Stephanie is now enrolled in the Certificate in Early Jewish Childhood Education at Gratz Online, which offers the first and only such online program of its kind. She is nearing completion of this six-course, 18-credit program and expects to receive her certificate by the end of 2006. She is also concurrently studying for the BA degree in Jewish Studies. Stephanie gives high praise to her studies at Gratz Online – from the excellent classes to the Web Study online course platform, which she has found easy to use and navigate. In particular, she has enjoyed learning from Professor Lyndall Miller as well as participating in online forum discussions and journal assignments, which focus on a weekly lesson. “The program has not only met, but often has exceeded my expectations,” she says. “In addition, the instructors have been extremely accessible, helpful and supportive -- something that initially concerned me when I considered a distance learning program.” As a first-time teacher, Stephanie is especially grateful for the opportunity to learn from her peers and professors who have shared their insights as experienced Jewish educators. “I can only say that without Professor Miller's "Building a Jewish Life, Concepts and Curriculum in Jewish Early Childhood Education" class I took last semester, my teaching experience during this first year would not have been successful or as fulfilling as it has been so far. The educational theory and insights into the specific challenges of Jewish education that I have gained from Professor Miller and my classmates has been invaluable to me as a new teacher.” Gratz Online has inspired Stephanie in many ways. She explains, “I have learned an incredible amount not only about education and Judaism, but the topics we have covered have provided me with the unique opportunity for self-reflection and contemplation of my commitment to Judaism and my observance as a Jew.” Stephanie has embarked on a lifelong Jewish journey. In summer 2006, she will attend an intensive five-week Hebrew language ulpan at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, become an adult bat mitzvah, receive her first aliyah to the Torah, and renew her marriage vows in a Jewish wedding ceremony. When she returns from Israel this summer, she looks forward to the fall semester at Gratz Online. |
Residence: Columbus, Ohio