Rebecca Knisely, M.Ed.

Adjunct Professor, BA Child Development

 

Rebecca inspires students to think critically about Child Development theory and use it as a framework to reflect on their own stories in order to further impact the lives of children. After earning her BA from Baylor University in the field of Early Childhood Development, her passion for culture and language led her to use a grant to teach abroad in northern Spain. She returned to her home city of Chicago to be a founding teacher and co-director for an urban preschool, as well as serve as Director of Children's Ministry at Park Church. After seven years of teaching preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade in multiple settings, she acquired her master's degree from Wheaton College, studying Education & Development with an emphasis on children and families. It was during her time at Wheaton that she felt led to work in higher education while developing a curriculum for undergraduate students to further explore their unique vocational calling. She joined PLNU in 2016 and has found a home and community in the classroom, where she loves helping students explore their journey, develop their identity, and apply their gifts. When Rebecca is not teaching at PLNU, she is likely spending time with her husband and baby, enjoying the beach, or running along Sunset Cliffs.