Since 2001, James Kestner has been helping student teachers find positions not only in Illinois, but around the globe and his 10 years of service has been rewarded.

The Board of Trustees approved tenure for Kestner at its meeting on Sept. 16.

Kestner, the chair of the Department of Student Teaching and Clinical Experiences, said he leads the student teaching department’s faculty and staff in serving the needs of all Eastern student teachers.

“We have placed as many as 700 to 800 student teachers per year across the state of Illinois,” Kestner said. “My faculty finds places for students to complete student teaching, then work closely with the students to mentor them and help them achieve success.”

Kestner is also the coordinator of the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching program at Eastern.

He said the program consists of 15 colleges and universities around the country that send students abroad for student teaching and at Eastern they choose 10 students per year to student teach abroad.

“We’ve sent students all around the world,” Kestner said. “This fall semester we have students in the Netherlands, Ireland and Germany.”

Blair Lord, provost and vice president for academic affairs, spoke on behalf of Kestner during the meeting.

“His teaching experience while he has been here includes online and face-to-face courses as well as designing and essentially creating the teaching certification program,” Lord said. “In my opinion, his record clearly warrants appointment as an associate professor with tenure.”

Kestner said the process for tenure required him to assemble a portfolio of his teaching, service and research and creative activity.

He said he thinks the main difference involved with receiving tenure is that he will be teaching more regularly.

“I love teaching and actually started my career as an EIU alum teaching high school English and speech communication,” Kestner said. “I’ll also get to work more closely with faculty and lend a helping hand on committees and work groups.”

He said he thinks the best aspect about Eastern is the people.

“The faculty, staff and administrators are very student-oriented,” Kestner said. “They see helping EIU students learn and grow as their top priority, which is something you don’t find everywhere.”

He said he thinks the most difficult part for working at Eastern is facing economic problems.

“The economy has made it very difficult for students to afford school and for schools to hire teachers,” Kestner said. “I’m looking forward to a day when we can look back and say we’re glad to have made it through this difficult time.”

Kestner began working at Eastern in December 2001.

“It’s incredibly satisfying to be part of an experience that builds a student’s foundation not only for a solid education, but a fulfilling life,” Kestner said.

Rachel Rodgers can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].