Nancy Lane, Content Strategist
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU)
For Immediate Release
WAXAHACHIE, TX – March 12, 2024 – Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) has been honored with an exceptional recognition at the most recent State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) meeting. SAGU’s education program, under the dedicated leadership of Dr. Khristy Strange, has been named among the top 4 schools for fostering teacher longevity. SAGU’s education program shared top recognition along with Texas Tech University, and others who have grads maintaining their roles in education for more than 5 consecutive years. Needless to say, SAGU education graduates are highly sought after in the immediate and neighboring school districts.
In an interview with Dr. Khristy Strange, the Director of Teacher Education at SAGU, she expresses both surprise and gratitude for this remarkable acknowledgment. Dr. Strange humbly attributes this achievement to the collective efforts of her exceptional team, emphasizing the invaluable contributions of longstanding faculty members, such as Department Chair Dr. Paula Manley, whose 20-year commitment has played a pivotal role in shaping the enduring success of SAGU’s educators. “I wish I could take credit,” says Dr. Strange, “but I’m standing on the shoulders of giants. Many people will fondly remember Mary Campbell, Janice Whitaker, Donna Townsand, Larry Boggle, and Paula Manley.”
Dr. Strange shares what she believes to be the strongest contributor to success: “I believe in three legged stool theory. Each leg represents a different leg of your life. One is personal, one is professional, and one is spiritual. If you don’t have a strong personal or professional life, but your spiritual life is in good condition, you can balance until things get better in one of the other areas. At SAGU, we do a great job of emphasizing the spiritual…and I think that is the reason why we have teachers with staying power. They have resilience – spiritual resilience is what builds that. We build teachers to impact the kingdom of God.”
Dr. Kim Trewern, Vice President of Academics at SAGU comments, “Dr. Strange’s enthusiasm and dedication to the program and to her team are truly commendable. It’s clear that her leadership and the hard work of everyone involved have made a significant impact on the development of resilient and committed teachers.”
Amidst the challenges brought about by the recent pandemic and the increasing expectations placed on educators, SAGU’s recognition holds significant weight. It underscores the University’s unwavering dedication to producing qualified, resilient, and committed teachers who can rise above the demands of their profession and continue to positively influence the lives of their students.
As the demand for passionate and long-serving educators continues to rise, SAGU’s commitment to emphasizing spiritual resilience alongside professional development sets a powerful example for the broader educational community.
About the University:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. SAGU is currently in the process of becoming Nelson University. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
