The King's Connection Magazine Volume 25 // Number 1 | Página 14

EDUCATION PROFILE

Continued

BEST IN CLASS

DEAN RETIRES AFTER
12 YEARS AT THE HELM
Although he sees himself as a teacher, there’s a whole lot
more to recently retired Dean of the Education program
at The King’s University, Dr. John Hull. His background
includes 19 years of teaching high school, and then 18 years
at King’s, 12 of them at the helm of the successful King’s
Education pprogram.
It all started in a small German Reformed community in the
American mid-West. Thanks to his great young pastor, the
ministry was John’s original goal. So he attended Dordt
College after high school, but hated Greek and Latin, which
was still a requirement at the time. Changing his major to
Philosophy, he was one of the first Master of Philosophy
graduates at the Institute for Christian studies in Toronto,
along with former King’s and ICS president, Harry
Fernhout. To make ends meet, he drove a delivery truck
for Eatons, while starting a family with wife, Glenda.
He landed a teaching job in Bowmanville, (east of Toronto)
for 19 years, earning a Masters of Education along the way,
followed by his PhD from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Hull has high praise for both Dr. Bob Bruinsma and
Dr. Alice Oosterhuis, who launched Education courses in
the early years when King’s could not confer degrees and
students had to complete their studies at the University of

Alberta. The Elementary degree program started at King’s in
1995 and the Secondary program in 2009. Dr. Bruinsma was
the chair for the first six years, and then Dr. Hull took over
from him.
“You ended up teaching two thirds of your time, and being
chair for half your time – King’s math,” Dr. Hull says with
a smile. Because he didn’t have an actual teaching degree,
one term he took the King’s practicum and taught Grade 5
students. His role connected him to many in the government
and post-secondary community, “out of my comfort zone”
he admits. He learned that part of his job well and considers
many external contacts his friends to this day, a number of
them attending his May retirement celebration.
Dr.Hull highlights three significant things in his career: his
role as chair of the Edmonton Christian Schools board when
it became part of Edmonton Public Schools, the launch of
the Secondary Education program following considerable
preparation, and being one of six founding members of the
Association of Alberta Deans of Education, which he chaired
last year.
He will still teach a course or two in the fall at King’s,
supervise students on practicums and try to finish his book
about the Reformed Christian schools in Canada.

“I’M A TEACHER.”
Hull teacher tells. The good teacher explains.
“ Dr.
TheJohn
mediocre
The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD

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Summer 2015 THE KING’S CONNECTION