TOTY | Teaching from the heart, rooted in relationships: Allen Jantz’s lifelong impact on Bethel College
Allen Jantz reflects on his career at Bethel College highlighting his leadership in teacher education, commitment to student mentorship, and lasting influence on the campus community.
There are a number of faculty members who come and go at Bethel College. However, some names have become familiar fixtures over the decades. One of those is Allen Jantz, director of teacher education.
Jantz is a Bethel alumnus, graduating in 1984, and later earning his master’s, education specialist degree, and eventually a Ph.D. in education—all from Wichita State University. He has been a professor at Bethel for over 30 years and currently serves as the director of teacher education.
Before his time at Bethel, Jantz grew up in Liberal. With both of his parents being Bethel graduates, choosing a college wasn’t a difficult decision. After graduating, he returned to western Kansas to teach before moving back to Newton to work as an administrator at a school in Wichita.
While working in Wichita, Jantz received a letter from Wynn Goering, now chair of Bethel’s board of directors, and, at the time, vice president of academic affairs. In the letter, Goering asked if Jantz would be interested in applying for a position in the education department.
“I went into teaching because I love working with kids,” explained Jantz. “I went into administration for the wrong reasons, for the money. And while I felt like I was good at it, I was never happy doing what I was doing.” Jantz went on, saying, “So I thought, you know what? I’m going to apply, and the rest is history.”
He highlighted the opportunity to teach again and build relationships with his students as key reasons for returning to Bethel.
“I will tell people my favorite part about teaching is when students student teach, when they are in their clinical experience out in the field,” explained Jantz. “When students go into student teaching, they're still college students and about week six to eight, roughly, they stop being students and they start being teachers.”
“It's just a magical moment. It's like, oh my goodness, my job is done,” expressed Jantz.
He shared that students will often come into his office to do homework or simply to talk, especially when they have something important to share.
Reflecting on the powerful impact of student-teacher relationships, Jantz shared a meaningful experience that captured the heart of his work. “With JT [Jordan Twenter], it was a really special moment,” explained Jantz. “He got his contract to teach, and he brought it up here and had me watch him sign it.” Jantz continued, “We went through it together and we talked about the different pieces of it, but then I got to watch him sign his first contract, and that was like ‘that's what it's about,’ the relationship with students.”
Jantz also makes an effort to be present in his students’ lives outside the classroom. At the beginning of each year, he hands out an information form that includes the question: “What’s one event you’d like me to go to during this year?”
“I try to keep track and make sure that I've done at least one of those events for all of my students during the year,” explained Jantz.
As for the values he hopes to instill, Jantz emphasizes the importance of relationships.
“I can teach my students educational theory, I can teach them methodology, but the passion for teaching has got to come from in here,” said Jantz [gesturing toward his heart].
“I can teach my students educational theory, I can teach them methodology, but the passion for teaching has got to come from in here,” said Jantz [gesturing toward his heart].
Allen Jantz
“Probably the biggest thing beyond that, be your best for the kids,” explained Jantz. “You gotta take your A-game every day, you go into the classroom and some days you may not want to, but fake it.” Along with this, he highlighted the importance of being honest with students when he may not be feeling his best.
As a member of the Bethel community, Jantz shares many of the college’s values.
“The peace tradition is important to me,” shared Jantz. “I also think that beyond that it's Bethel's openness to critical thinking and dialogue.”
For current and future Bethel students, Jantz hopes they make the most of their time at the college. “I hope that they took advantage of maybe doing something in a non-threatening environment that they wouldn't necessarily have done at a larger school,” explained Jantz. “And challenge themselves a little bit to try something new.”
Jantz described a meaningful tradition that marks the transition from student to educator, leaving a lasting impression on those about to enter the classroom. “We have a final seminar where we bring in all of our graduating seniors and then all of our next year's student teachers,” Jantz shared. “I read them a prayer, it's called the last days of school, and how we've done our best and now it's up to them.” Jantz continued, “But about the last thing I say, something I think I've said to every group over the years, but it's go forth and do good things. That's all we ask, ‘Be good people.’”
When asked about being named Thresher of the Year, Jantz said, “I'm humble, I really am,” Jantz went on, “JT and Mason asked me what my greatest award over the years has been, and I've gotten several, but I told them it's not about me, it's about the students.”
“I'm humble, I really am,” Jantz went on, “JT and Mason asked me what my greatest award over the years has been, and I've gotten several, but I told them it's not about me, it's about the students.”
Allen Jantz
He went on to say, “I'm humble,” explained Jantz, “because I don't feel like I do the things I do to get recognized for anything, so it's very humbling to me to receive this recognition, and I'm still in awe, shock, and I hope I live up to it.”