Alumna / Professor, gives back to Purdue Calumet

"As a non-traditional student with three children, I appreciated the options offered to me as far as when I could take courses"

Preparing teachers and teacher candidates to effectively teach science to elementary students is what Assistant Professor of Education and alumna Cheryl Bell strives to do at Purdue Calumet.

According to Bell, she wanted to be a teacher since she was as a child. "My dreams were delayed a few years as I began a family after high school," she said. "When my youngest, twin boys were in kindergarten, I had the chance to enroll in college and pursue my teaching degree."

Bell obtained a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Purdue Calumet in 1989. In 1993, she completed her master's in elementary education from Indiana University Northwest and earned her doctorate in elementary science education, curriculum and instruction in 2002 at Purdue's West Lafayette campus.

The experiences in relation to the courses she took at Purdue Calumet are what, she said, she appreciates most. "Part of teacher preparation is theory, and other parts are practical experience and working with teachers and students in the classroom," she said. "For a teacher candidate to apply theory into reality is invaluable." Bell also said she appreciated the availability and approachability of the instructors.

Looking back on her learning experiences, Bell credits Robert Rivers, dean of education and acting dean of management, as having a tremendous influence on how she teaches and works with university students. "He modeled the strategies for teaching and learning that I use today," she said, "He is also the person who suggested I get a Ph.D."

Rivers said he saw her leadership as a springboard for elementary teachers. "Cheryl is one of the most able elementary majors, an outstanding teacher and teacher leader in science and literature," he said. "She has a marvelous career path and will do a lot for students in elementary education. I'm quite proud of her."

Bell said perseverance and the support of her family helped trigger her success. Also the convenience and flexibility of programs made Purdue Calumet a good fit. "As a non-traditional student with three children, I appreciated the options offered to me as far as when I could take courses," she said.

In teaching her students, Bell says she tries to leave them with this message: "Always strive for your goals, yet look beyond. We never really know where life will take us if we keep our options open."