Graduate Studies Newsletter

January 21, 2021

MLC Graduate Studies

Faculty, Staff, and Seniors Update

A Word from the Director

Dr. John Meyer

Martin Luther College graduate students continually look for ways to improve their service to others, whether it be in the classroom, school leadership, or spiritual leadership. The Gut family, featured in our first article, is one such example.

Your MLC instructors also seek to serve you with all their might. Please note that we have added two new graduate programs. One is for special education learning disabilities licensure, and the other is a leadership degree for technology directors. Please share this good news with your colleagues and friends.

The Gut Family: Master’s Degrees

and Life with the Master

Kyle, Justin, and Kayte Gut (pronounced ‘goot’) went to school together at MLC about 20 years ago—graduating in 2000, 2001, and 2002. They found themselves at MLC again just a couple years ago, all of them enrolled in the graduate program. When they realized they would all graduate at the same time and could receive their diplomas together on the MLC stage in May 2020, they were excited.

But that was not to be.

READ MORE . . .

Two New Graduate Degree Programs

Designed to Meet the Needs of WELS Schools

MS Education - Special Education

with MN Learning Disabilities Licensure

This program is designed for teachers who want to serve learners with special needs in WELS schools.

The program provides Minnesota licensure in Learning Disabilities both as a stand-alone license for existing WELS teachers and an add-on for MLC undergraduates completing their ABS (Academic Behavioral Specialist) license.

Graduate students in this program follow a prescribed set of special education courses, complete a 12-week internship, and take two state-required licensure tests.

We’ve also coordinated the program with our undergraduate special education major, enabling undergrad students to earn their master’s degree and specialty license at a faster pace and a lower cost.

“The need for special education teachers across the country is great, and our Lutheran schools are no exception,” says Professor Kelli Green DMLC ’92 (education, pictured). “Our goal is to prepare fully qualified and licensed special education and intervention teachers. Being fully prepared enables teachers to improve outcomes for students with disabilities, and also improves the likelihood that the teachers will remain in the field.

“When parents choose our schools for the Christian education of their children, we want to meet their children’s needs with fully qualified and licensed teachers who are ready to collaborate with a team in support of their children.”

mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/special-education-emphasis

MS Educational Administration -

Technology Director

This program, designed specifically for WELS congregations and schools, provides current and aspiring technology directors with the practical knowledge and skills they need.

Professor Rachel Feld MLC ’06 (director of academic computing and online learning, pictured) explains: “We looked at the challenges WELS technology directors often face—infrastructure, technology integration, student privacy, device management, faculty training—and designed courses that address those challenges.

“We understand that our schools and congregations do not typically have dedicated IT personnel, yet technology is vital. A teacher who also acts as a technology director can provide the ideas, support, and encouragement that will align technology use with 21st-century educational goals and with our most important goal: sharing the gospel.”

mlc-wels.edu/graduate-studies/technology-director

You Serve So Selflessly.

Now Let Us Serve You!

Join Us for a FREE

Virtual Conference!

Monday, February 15, 2021

11 am - 12 pm CST

Trauma-Informed

Christian Schools

Presented by Professor Kelli Green

Martin Luther College

1 clock hour

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In this webinar, you will . . .

realize why NOW is the time to look at how adversity and trauma affect us all.
recognize how trauma affects teaching and learning.
develop a lens for seeing the signs and symptoms of trauma affecting your school.
learn strategies to respond in Christian love, creating a safe, healthy learning environment for your students, families, and called workers.

Administrators - We encourage you to register and watch with your faculty.

Adjuncts Expand MLC Grad Students’ World

MLC graduate students learn from experts in their fields. In addition to 11 on-campus faculty members, graduate students have access to 31 adjunct faculty members. Adjuncts are WELS members who serve MLC’s graduate program on a part-time basis, bringing their unique perspectives and experience to help our students grow beyond the walls of MLC.

READ MORE . . .

Faculty News & Notes

Kari Muente (MLC '99) with colleagues Dr. Darren Minarik (Radford University) and Dr. Tim Lintner (University of South Carolina- Aiken) presented Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to Support Inquiry Design for All Learners at the National Council for the Social Studies Virtual Conference in December.

Ryan MacPherson (adjunct professor from Bethany Lutheran College) presented a two-part bioethics workshop to WELS pastors and laypersons in northern Wisconsin on January 9, 2021. The sessions were entitled "Aborted Human Fetal Tissue in Vaccines: Sad Facts, Troubled Consciences, and Sanctified Decisions" and "Three Estates, Two Kingdoms, and One Lord: Understanding Your Vocation for Medical Decision-Making." A handout, which also was used for an earlier webinar for Lutherans for Life, is available at www.intoyourhandsllc.com/research/vaccines/226.