Dr. Jordan Morton teaches a class in TMU's School of Education.

Although The Master's University aims to educate and equip teachers for anywhere their endeavors may take them, many choose to stay right here in our very own backyard - the Santa Clarita Valley. We're thrilled that our graduates have the opportunity to serve the community, and we always love to hear reports of them being recognized for their character, work ethic and commitment to their profession.
Dr. Jordan Morton, the dean of our Pearl C. Schaffer School of Education, says there are over 100 alumni in teaching or school administration positions in the area, with 75 percent of them in public education.
"Teaching should be a calling," Morton said. "You can't do this job and sustain it over time if it's just a hobby or something you're going to do until you figure out what you want to do. That's not why people go into teaching. It truly is a ministry and a calling. I think the students that we run across here have that idea."
So, how are these TMU grads impacting their schools?
Morton shared feedback she's received from fellow community partners, where TMU grads have been praised for their character in the workplace.
"Our grads bring commitment, faithfulness, kindness and work ethic," Morton said. "They have the fruit of the Spirit - the things that people look at and go, 'I don't know what's going on there, but I want more of that.'"
Preparing students to excellently represent Christ is exactly what TMU strives for.
"There's a lot of things that go into being a good teacher and we get to the practical side of it," Morton said. "We train our students to have good class management, how to lesson plan and how to really think like teachers. Our grads come out of the program, especially the credential program, well prepared to step foot in a classroom and take over. And our community partners see that."
Learn more about TMU's teacher credential program at masters.edu/teacher-ed.


Dr. Neil McLeod, a practicing dentist, developed a new program at TMU for pre-dental students.

TMU Adds Pre-Dental Program
A new emphasis - pre-dentistry - has been added to the biology major at TMU.
Dr. Neil McLeod, who developed the program, is the dentist and owner of Dr. Neil McLeod, DDS Inc, a private dental practice in West Hollywood. He is also an adjunct professor at TMU. He has worked to develop this new program for pre-dental students, which includes job shadowing opportunities and a new course.
The shadowing program, McLeod says, is essential for those interested in dentistry. Not only does dental school require 100 hours of shadowing, but the experience gained is vital to understanding what clinical dentistry is all about.
McLeod connected with several dentists in the Santa Clarita Valley area and has organized the opportunity for students to explore various specialties, including children's dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontists and prosthodontics.
Along with the shadowing program, McLeod is offering a new class called, "Special Topics: Dental Studies." The course will cover a range of topics: the realities of dental school, the history of dentistry, inventions that made dentistry possible and the importance of dental care.
"I want students to have an understanding about the profession, how it developed and what it requires to be a good dentist. Then when they go in for an interview, they will be prepared," McLeod says.
"I want to excite students about being in the profession of dentistry."But most importantly, he sees the field as an opportunity to glorify Christ.
"We want to represent Christian ethics as a part of treatment," McLeod says. "It's important for Christians to be in every profession, and all aspects of medical care are a part of the way we can help each other and understand the miraculous way our bodies work."
Learn more at masters.edu/dentistry.