• Overview
• Degrees & Areas of Study
  • Core Program
  • Majors
    • Biology Major
    • Education Major
    • English Language and Literature Major
    • History Major
    • Interdisciplinary Major
    • Religion Major
  • Certification in Secondary Education
  • Associate in Arts Degree
• Experiential Learning
• Faculty
• Catalog and Course Information
• Support
• Academic Forms & Downloads
• Faculty Resources

<< Back

"Endeavor to Bring Forth Fruit"
Motto of the Bryn Athyn College Education Division

The prime source of a tree is a seed, and in this there is an endeavor to bring forth fruit. This endeavor, roused to activity by heat, brings forth first a root, and then from that a stem or stalk with branches and leaves, and at last the fruit; and in this way the endeavor to bear fruit comes forth into manifest being. From this it is evident that the endeavor to bring forth fruit is constant through the whole progression until it attains manifest being, for if it ceased the capacity to vegetate would die at once. This is the application: The tree is man; in him the endeavor to bring forth the means is from his will in his understanding; the stem or stalk with branches and leaves, in him are the instrumental means, and are called the truths of faith; the fruits which in the tree are the ultimate effects of the endeavor to bear fruit, in man are uses and in these his will comes forth into manifest being. From this it may be seen that the will to bring forth uses by means of the understanding is constant through the whole progression, until it comes into manifest being.

(Doctrine of Faith 16)

Students come to the Education Major from different backgrounds. Those who have had a positive experience with education wish to replicate that experience for their future students. Others are motivated by a desire for change. For still others it is a way of being continually involved in learning. Many education majors want to make a difference. At Bryn Athyn College we believe teaching is an amazing opportunity to serve the Lord by instructing children in how to live a useful life on earth and eventually in heaven.

The Education Division benefits by having students with diverse backgrounds, but recognizes that there are some qualities that are essential for students to have a successful experience. These qualities include:

• A desire to study educational practices within the context of the spiritual framework of New Church teachings
• A desire to see the goodness that exists in every child and recognize each one as a potential angel
• The ability to accept constructive criticism and implement change based on that input
• Professional attitudes and behavior

Students in the Education Major are given the opportunity to grow as individuals as they hone the skills they need for success within the field.

The education program at Bryn Athyn College offers students the opportunity to build a stockpile of reference materials, teaching styles, foundational theories, experience and credentials. The curriculum is designed to give beginning teachers the knowledge, methods and practice necessary to succeed in the their career. But even more than that, it seeks to benefit the future students of our education majors. It is for the sake of these children we hope that the "seeds" of our program will take root and "endeavor to bring forth fruit."