When Dean Cheesebrough, PhD, came to campus in 1971, he thought he would teach for "two or three years" and then move on to something new. After getting to know everyone on campus – from the grounds crew to the president – he realized "the grass WAS greener here."
Over the last 39 years at York College, Cheesebrough has seen it all – and quite frankly – done it all. He came to York in 1971 to teach in the Education Department, and by his second year, was named chairman of the Department.
"I came in when the College was transitioning from a junior college to a four-year institution," he said. "We placed our first student teachers into area school systems. We helped create the reputation student teachers at York still have today."
What he enjoyed most about teaching was witnessing students – many of whom were first-generation college students in the 1970s and 1980s – grow academically and have what he calls their "ah-ha" moments. An "ah-ha" moment is when a student is able to understand something, with the help of their teacher, which previously he or she was unable to grasp. "That is why I became a teacher," he said.
After decades of watching students grow, he was asked in 2001 to serve as interim dean of Academic Affairs. Cheesebrough was then responsible for the "big picture" of York College, not just the Education Department.
"During the course of that year, I worked with my peers to think strategically about the future of the College, which was growing in students and size," he said. "Some changes on campus today – including the addition of some courses – came from those discussions."
After he fulfilled his duty as interim dean, he became headmaster at York Country Day School, a preschool through grade 12 independent school affiliated with York College. He knew earning the respect of these youngsters would be harder than any challenge he ever faced in his life. "Working with my peers or college students is different than working with children. It takes a lot longer to earn their trust."
To begin gaining their trust, Cheesebrough greeted the students on the first day of school as they walked in the building. "I wanted them to see me and put a face to the name," he said.
He even sat with some of the students during lunch to get to know them on a different level. Because he began his career as an elementary school teacher, he ended up fitting in easily. "It was tremendous to go back and work with students who were just beginning to take their academics seriously," he said.
A year later, President George Waldner asked Cheesebrough to come back to the College as special assistant to the president. He agreed with "no hesitation." He now plans and organizes events for retired faculty and completes other tasks the president assigns to him.
"I truly enjoy the College and what it has become,"said Cheesebrough. "That is why I am still here."
Pictured: Cheesebrough (middle) with Al Moyer '81 (Gettysburg, Pa.) and Carole Spahr, PhD '73 (Lewisberry, Pa.). Moyer is the superintendent for the Hanover Public School District and Spahr is a retired superintendent for the Perkiomen Valley School District.
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Forty Years of Transforming the Future by Inspiring Excellence in Education
On May 1, York College held a luncheon and reunion to celebrate the great work of the Department of Education over the past 40 years and look ahead to the enhanced opportunities that will be made possible in a "new home" for education, the Shirley Shipley Education Center. Below are just some of the comments education alumni made at the reunion.
"York College gave me the foundation I needed to enter the real world of teaching. The experiences I had during my course work at York provided me with a thorough understanding of the best pedagogical practices. Connections were made with my professors at York College that helped me through my first professional job and continue to guide me today."
- Steph Johnson '05 (Dillsburg, Pa.), Sixth Grade Teacher, Conewago Valley School District
"The Education Department at York College gave me the confidence and experience I needed to be an educator. I felt extremely prepared to go out into the real world and teach our youth. I am now giving back to York College by teaching as an adjunct professor and being a cooperating teacher. I look forward to completing the circle of my York College experience."
- Alyssa Skura '04 (York, Pa.), First Grade Teacher, Conewago Valley School District
"York College prepared me to become the educator I am today. YCP gave me a very strong academic foundation – the core content and knowledge I needed to succeed. Since becoming an educator, I have also had the opportunity to work with many student teachers from the Education Department, and I found that they are head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to their preparation."
- Eric Hartman '85 (Spring Grove, Pa.), Fifth Grade Teacher, Hanover Public School District
"Opportunity, compassion and pride are the first words that come to mind when I reflect on my time spent as a YCP student. Opportunity indicates the skills and knowledge I gained and has served as the roots of my professional career. Compassion describes the encourage-ment and help I received from my professors. Pride portrays my belief that my education at YCP, and my position as a YCP adjunct professor, are important aspects of my life."
- Leslie B. Trimmer, EdD '78 (York, Pa.), Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, Dallastown School District
“The Education Department of YCP took a young student and turned him into a teacher. With the help and assistance of the dedicated professors (Dr. Cheesebrough, Dr. Blake-Kline and Dr. Fredericks, to name a few), I have been able to pay it forward and help my students become better learners and people. YCP gave me the confidence and foundation as an educator to instill a love of learning in my students. The last 20 years in the classroom have gone so quickly. I love it even more than that first year.”
- Eric C. Hoffman ’90 (York, Pa.), Sixth Grade Teacher, York Suburban School District
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