David Coffman

Dr. David Coffman
Professor and Chair of Department of Education
Director of Teacher Education

David Coffman graduated from Bridgewater College as a Spanish major and German major. But it almost didn't turn out that way. Coffman started out majoring in mathematics, but changed course when one of his professors, John White, called him into his office and said, "David, you don't really want to be a math major, do you?" 

Switching, Coffman immersed himself in foreign languages and took a memorable month-long trip to Spain in the summer of 1967, led by another of his mentors, Robert Houts. Following his graduation from BC, he taught Spanish, German, U.S. history and world history at Martinsville High School, not far from his home town of Bassett, Va.

Coffman returned to Bridgewater in 1991 upon learning of an opening in the education department. Although his goal had originally been to teach foreign languages, he was eager to work in education, as well. Coffman has served as chair of the education department for the past five years. At the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year, he was named director of teacher education.

Now with over 40 years in education, Coffman, who received his doctor of education degree from Virginia Tech in 1987, has been involved with a number of organizations in his field, such as the Association of Teacher Education-Virginia and the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education. He was asked to serve on the Committee on Membership Development and Capacity Building of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in 2009, describing it as a significant honor.

The best reward for Coffman, however, is the preparation of future teachers. He takes great satisfaction in keeping up with his former students and seeing who they become. He uses stories of his former students' experiences as tools for teaching his current students. "(Stories) help show what teaching is all about."