Raising children today isn’t easy. Changing values in society, social media temptations, family conflicts, learning difficulties, financial strains—all the contemporary results of Adam and Eve’s sin make parenting a tough gig. When families struggle, they often turn to their WELS church and school leaders for help. Josh Wong MLC ’21 wants to be there for them. He wants to be the kind of leader who’s knowledgeable enough to assist them—and the MLC master’s program is helping him get there.
A 2021 graduate of MLC with a bachelor’s in elementary ed and middle/secondary math ed, Josh began his ministry at Risen Savior Christian Academy in Pooler, Georgia, where he teaches grades 7-8, coaches basketball, and leads the church youth group. As you read this, he’ll be finishing up his last days at Risen Savior and preparing to move north to the Twin Cities, where he’ll teach upper-level math and coach basketball at West LHS.
Wherever he serves, Josh knows that raising kids in today’s society can be tough. Families want their children’s teachers, pastors, and other leaders to assist them on this journey. That’s why he enrolled in MLC’s master’s program in education with an emphasis in leadership.
“I’m hoping this program helps me to become a stronger leader for my congregation and school,” he says. “I want to be more equipped to handle the challenges of today’s society.”
One class has really hit home for him. “My favorite class has been Family Issues in Education. We discussed the complex challenges families face today and how the issues can only be addressed with the help of God. It really opened my eyes to how desperately each person needs their Savior.”
Choosing MLC for his master’s was not a difficult decision for Josh. “MLC always felt like the natural pick,” he says. “The purpose of the program aligns well with my motivation to be a called worker: to make a positive difference in my church, school, and community. This common calling really helps me engage with the coursework and take the content to heart.”
Two other pluses of an MLC program, he says, are the professors and the fellow students. He appreciates what both bring to the course discussions.
“Each MLC professor understands the business of a called worker,” he says, “and they are willing to work with you as a student. And while each course has specific goals and objectives, the professors modify the courses to make them relevant and beneficial for the work I do on a daily basis. Every assignment gives me a little bit more knowledge about how I can improve as a teacher.” He calls this kind of personalization—this application to each graduate student’s individual ministry setting—”the standout aspect of the MLC graduate program.”
Josh likes learning through the other students too. “From a seasoned teacher in Wisconsin to a new teacher in Georgia, every classmate brings such unique backgrounds and experiences to our online discussions. Our discourse helps me to view issues from fresh perspectives and apply concepts to situations outside of my own. This collaboration reminds me of the common mission we share in our synod and the tremendous blessings God gives to schools around the country.”
While some teachers enroll in a master’s program immediately after college graduation, Josh decided to wait a couple years. “I knew I didn’t want to start my program right after graduating, because I felt I wouldn’t have the necessary background knowledge or experience to get the most out of the information I’d learn.” But he also didn’t want to wait too long. “Getting through the program early in my teaching ministry would make me more effective at a young stage in my career, so that I could harness that knowledge for a longer period of time.”
Josh is quick to encourage other teachers to enroll in MLC’s master’s program—whether they want to start immediately or wait a few years to provide more context for the courses, as he did. “Start by just taking a class or two that interest you,” he says. “It doesn’t matter the topic or content area, and you don’t need to commit to a program right away. I’m confident that your experience with the professors and program will motivate you to keep learning more!”
Learning more—for Josh, that’s what MLC master’s program is all about. Josh wants to be the most informed leader he can be, especially because families today are facing such difficult societal challenges. “I want to be more knowledgeable,” he says, “in the sense that I’m ready to answer the complex questions that may be asked by struggling students and families.”
He wants to be the wise, knowledgeable leader that families can trust to assist and guide them. MLC’s program is helping him get there.
Meet Josh Wong: “I’m married to Betsy (Hahm), we have a 1-year-old daughter, Elsie, and we are expecting a son this summer! I love sports, any Minnesota sports team, fishing, and spending time with friends and family.”
Something you might never guess: “My family fostered over 80 kids when I was growing up. It was a tremendous blessing being able to serve the community in this way, and it also increased my interest in teaching others about Jesus!”
Written by Laurie Gauger-Hested
