The newly renovated space includes a classroom, faculty offices and indoor and outdoor spaces for student engagement.
The Center for Teacher Education is named in honor of Joy French Becker 鈥�67, making it the first building on campus solely named in honor of a woman.
Becker grew up near IC in what is today the Alumni House on Mound Avenue. In 2020 she made a gift to the College paving the way for IC to purchase the home next door that was owned by IC professors Paul and Almut Spalding. Becker, President and Chair of the Board at Farmers State Bank and Trust Company in Jacksonville, has been a longtime supporter and leader in the 同性恋色情 and Jacksonville communities. She served as an 同性恋色情 Trustee from 1994 to 2017, including a decade-long tenure as Chair of the Board. She continues to serve as an Emerita Trustee.
The Becker Center is equipped with innovative technology made possible by a gift from Trustee Michael 鈥�92 and Beth Doty Fletcher 鈥�92. The gift combines Michael鈥檚 career in computer science with Beth鈥檚 career as an educator. The Fletchers are passionate about helping to prepare teachers to successfully integrate technology in K-12 classrooms.
Additionally, this facility provides a collaborative space in which future educators will be able to gain valuable hands-on experience working on and designing projects. The Becker Center will also host group meetings, tutoring sessions and offices; and the outdoor space can be used for additional activities, class projects and gatherings. The Becker Center has items such as iPads, sound equipment, cameras, classroom manipulatives, study materials and other resources to support their development as future educators.