As one of the oldest educator preparation institutions in the nation, Concordia-Chicago’s College of Education continues to be inspired by the University’s rich history as it seeks opportunities to grow. Dedicated faculty and staff, including the Center for Christian Education and the Office of Field Experience, are putting the college’s name and mission on the map through each and every new school partnership, community relationship and student teaching placement.

In her two years since coming to CUC, Katie Pece, director of the offices of Field Experience and Synodical Placement, has been hard at work building new partnerships with public and faith-based schools.

She develops and implements field experience opportunities for education students, which includes both required observation hours and the student teaching internship. Pece knows that the key to a successful student teaching experience—one that may lead to employment as a teacher down the line—is making personal connections.

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Dr. Anne Thies (left) and Katie Pece (right) promote CUC to prospective LTE students at a recent event with Senior Director of Alumni Relations Emily Kober (center).

Pece served for many years as a Lutheran second-grade teacher, so she knows what makes a strong partnership from both the university’s and the local school’s perspective. “Second grade is very different from higher ed—but I certainly understand the teacher-in-classroom side of things,” she says. “I’m thankful for the variety of experiences I’ve had that enhance my ability to do this position.”

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, teacher vacancies remain a serious challenge for school districts across the state. In addition to helping CUC students gain experience and employment, Pece says, “we’re also trying to help our partner schools gain employees, given the teaching shortage we have today.”

Pece often collaborates with Dr. Anne Thies, director of the University’s Center for Christian Education (CCE), to bring the work of their two offices together to serve students, teachers and schools.

Thies, an associate professor of education at CUC since 2016, works to fulfill the Center’s vision to drive innovation, set new standards, and expand the limits of faith-based education aligned with the University’s mission, vision and values.  

Offering professional development opportunities is one way the CCE lives out its mission. Thies says, “We work with current students, alumni, teachers and administrators, and we do outreach to Lutheran schools in the Northern Illinois District, CLEF schools, as well as all schools that we work with through the University, both private and public.”

The Center also hosted a book drive this year, through which they collected 891 books for two Lutheran schools that were in need of additional resources for their children. The CCE is looking forward to more events like this in the coming academic year.

The above is just an excerpt—read the full story in the Summer 2025 Forester Magazine.