News
from the President: Cindy Frerking
Eight Scholarships in Six Years!
At the 2000 World Conference, members of the Community of
Christ Professional Educators Association met and agreed that we
should encourage our church youth to consider going into
education by offering them scholarships simply through a $10
membership/donation each year.
We have been able to award a total of seven $500 scholarships
to student from different areas and one $250 International
Scholarship to a woman in the Dominican Republic. Some are still
in school and others are already teaching. (See
Emily Marolf’s article below. )
We hope that you will help us continue this tradition through
your $10 membership/ donation each year. (See the membership
application on page 4 of this newsletter). We cannot do it
without you.
Thank you for your past support and we hope to see many of
you at our dinner meeting during the 2007 International
Conference on Tuesday evening, March 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30
p.m. at the Home Town Buffet , 40 Highway and Noland Road in
Independence, Mo. No reservations are needed. We welcome all
educators from all levels.
If you have any addition questions, please email me at
cfrerking@mindspring.com.
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Investment of “Life-Time” Membership Pays
Off
By Norman Ruoff
The Board of Directors of the Community of Christ
Professional Educators Association has placed the Life-Time
memberships in a special account. A portion of the interest will
be used each year to finance scholarships that are made through
this program.
Not only does the organization attempt to give as many
scholarships as our funds provide to those who are seeking
degrees in education and who will become teachers, but also,
when possible, the board provides grants to help teachers around
the world, primarily through the Friends United program which
helps teachers in Honduras.
If you are interested in providing more educational
opportunities to individuals and educational groups in need
around the world, please feel free to join the organization by
sending a life time membership/donation of $250.00 with the
enrollment form on this web site
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Former Scholarship
Recipient: Emily Marolf Shares Her Thoughts
As I enter my first genuine job as a teacher, I can now
safely say that I am part of the best profession..most days. For
those of you who do not know me, I received a Community of
Christ Educator’s Scholarship three years ago and again I thank
you for your generosity to help me on my way to becoming a
teacher. This August I began my first official teaching contract
with the Wichita Public School District teaching algebra and
geometry and coaching cheerleading at West High School.
As I am sure most of you can agree, this school year so far
has been full of ups and downs. The many lessons taught include
more than math and I am not always the teacher. I have learned
the importance of remembering the small accomplishments when
facing the day-to-day challenges. I have learned the necessity
of playing “the game” to persuade students to do what I want
them to do. I have learned the value of being flexible;
sometimes even the most well-planned lesson needs to be
postponed after a provoking questions from a student.
Most importantly I have begun learning how to combine my
teaching career with my role as a priest and a youth minister in
the church. For a short while I struggled with my desire and
calling to minister to youth and my desire and calling to teach
youth. This semester, I have come to understand that while these
two may not be the same, few other professions are so similar.
Every day when I go to work, I have the privilege of working
with at-risk, inner-city students with baggage and more problems
than I could ever imagine. Because of this fact, many times the
same students who present the biggest challenges also provide
the biggest rewards. I remember sharing my lunch with one hungry
student as I helped her master solving algebraic equations. My
endeavors were all worthwhile when I both announced her success
to her parents and saw the look on her face when I told her she
raised her test score from a 57% to a 91%.
While I may not be directly sharing the gospel with my
students, I truly believe I am sharing God’s message of hope and
love daily, as I build relationships with and provide much
needed support for my students. Since actions speak louder than
words, I just have to work harder to show the kids my Christian
beliefs and encourage them to set goals and look towards a
brighter future. I simply consider myself God’s ultimate
cheerleader!
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Honduran Teachers and
Schools Receive Help
By Charlotte Ruoff
The Professional Educators organization has been a supporter
of Friends United, Inc. that works to help teachers in Honduras
through better teaching methods and equipment. Friends was the
recipient of a $24,000.00 grant from the Tangible Love Fund of
the church during 2002-2005. The grant was used to develop a
“model school” near the capital city and establish a Resource
Center in San Pedro Sula which is currently managed by church
member Carmen de Mejia. Each center costs approximately
$10,000.00 and includes such items as a laminator, copier, a
machine that allows letters and other symbols to be cut, a
computer, and other office type equipment and supplies.
For the last three years the Rotary Club of Independence,
Missouri has been supporting Friends United and this year has
supported a grant from the local rotary District 6040 and Rotary
International for two additional centers at a cost of
$20,000.00.
Each January six teachers form Honduras are invited to the
Los Fresnos Texas School District in the Rio Grande Valley for
extensive training.
That group now numbers forty-five “Ex Becarios” who share
their learning by holding seminars throughout their country.
Several Kiwanis clubs have also joined in funding the
organization.
Each of the last four years Friends United has conducted a
working tour in Honduras during February or March. Interested
persons, especially teachers who speak Spanish, should contact
Charlotte Ruoff at 2160 NE 72nd St., Gladstone MO 64118, call at
816-298-6641 or e-mail at charr@kcnet.com.
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John Albert King -
2006-2007 Scholarship Recipient
By Norma Elgan
John recently set a goal to achieve a master’s degree in
special education and work closely with the Special Olympics
program to begin a weight training and wrestling program for
special needs children in Sperry, OK. In his application John
wrote, “I knew I wanted to be a youth minister, a parent, and an
educator as I see these as the greatest influences on young
people. I believe educators have a rare opportunity to either
crush the aspirations of their students or guide them gently to
their own personal successes; I know I can achieve the latter,
and I know I can enhance and touch the lives of the students I
am blessed to come in contact with.”
John’s pastor, Kimberly Pollard, stated, “I could not ask for
a more devoted and willing servant. He blesses our entire
congregation with his gifts of music, teaching and preaching.
John is passionate about our church, and about teaching.”
We look forward to keeping up with John’s progress through
the next years as he begins to fulfill his dreams.
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Scholarships Awarded
By Sandra Hunt
The Community of Christ Professional Educations are proud to
announce the scholarship recipient for 2006-2007 school year.
Congratulations to John Albert King of Skiatook, OK who received
a $500 scholarship which will be used for his education as he
becomes an educator. Unfortunately , our funds kept us from
giving more than one scholarship for this school year.
It is truly exciting to see so many education students
excited about their future.
We invite you to read the story from Emily Marolf, a former
scholarship recipient, also in this newsletter.
As our membership grows we will be able to give more
assistance to future educators.
Please complete the membership form at the end of this
newsletter so that you can become part of this organization and
help more students.
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2006-2007 Board of
Directors
for the Community of Christ Professional Educators Association
Cindy Frerking, President
Pat Heady-Winholz, Vice President
Cheron Tiffany-Bronson, Secretary
Norman Ruoff, Treasurer
Sandi Hunt, Scholarships
Charlotte Ruoff, Friends United Representative
Norma Elgan, Newsletter
John Parrish, Board Member (Kansas)
Carol Anderson, Board Member (California)
Tom Cooper, Board Member
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