Looking back, Abigail Jones ’16 can see how pivotal and influential her college years
were and she is grateful for how SBU helped mold her.
“I love SBU because of the positive ways in which it has shaped my life,” Abigail said.
Abigail graduated from SBU in 2016 with a degree in middle school education and now works as a sixth grade math teacher at Woodland R-IV Middle School. SBU encouraged Abigail as she discovered her passions and pursued her goals to get her to where she is today.
“SBU academics helped prepare me for my first teaching position,” Abigail stated. “My professors did a phenomenal job preparing me to teach middle school students. They taught me how to create interactive lessons to engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving. This has paid off immediately in my first two years of teaching!"
Moreover, SBU faculty taught Abigail to not only be the best teacher she can be, but also to learn to view her classroom as a mission field.
“They taught me not only how to prepare lessons and teach students well, but also how to love my students with the love which Christ has given us,” she recalled.
This integration of faith and academics helped Abigail grow spiritually during her time at SBU. Additionally, she is thankful for the friends, teachers, and mentors who encouraged her along the journey.
“While at SBU, I grew in my faith tremendously,” Abigail declared. “I learned so much about being faithful to share the Gospel. My professors really instilled in me that my greatest mission in my teaching career is not to simply teach students math, but to share the Good News of Christ.”
The Christ-centered, caring academic community at SBU is something that is unique and valuable to Abigail.
“The combination of faculty support, spiritual guidance, and a welcoming student body all contribute to SBU feeling more like a family rather than just a university,” Abigail said.
Abigail acknowledges that the years following high school are crucial to shaping young adults’ futures and she knows she is the woman she is today because of the way SBU helped shape her. Now, she is helping to shape the next generation in her own classroom.
“SBU provides a safe and loving environment for people to grow in the Lord, decide on career paths, and develop lifelong relationships.”