 Stephen Bergren is semi-retired, currently teaching college online history classes for the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC). Over the years he has taught middle school, high school, and college / university. While being a full-time high school teacher Stephen also taught alternative education part-time. As a high school teacher, he was also an assistant wrestling coach and belonged to the Illinois Coaches Association. Stephen has also been a counselor for two government grants (JTPA and Upward Bound) helping students at risk. Stephen eventually became a college advisor / international student advisor for around 16 years as well as being a part-time / adjunct college teacher. As an international student advisor, he had the title of Principle Designated SchoolOfficial (PDSO)and worked with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documents andStudent Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) documents. Stephen has an Associate's Degree, Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s degree. He also took two and a half years of Japanese at the university level after completing the master’s degree. In 2018 he was a “Finalist for Excellence” regarding teaching online classes with the Iowa Community College Online Consortium (ICCOC). He has been involved in education for over 40 years. Stephen began judo study in 1968 at the age of 15 with Mr. Jim Behrendt in Rock Island, Illinois. When Mr. Behrendt later left the Quad City area, Stephen later studied judo with Mr. Mitzukawa at a YMCA in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Mitzukawa left the Quad Cities to return to Japan after graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. In 1974 Stephen began judo study with Mr. Jesse Mills at the Quint-Cities Judo Club in Moline, Illinois. At that judo club Stephen rose through the ranks of Sankyu to Yodan and became an assistant instructor. While at Quint Cities Judo, Stephen also studied with Mr. Ron Hanson in the early 1980s at his club in Rock Island. Mr. Hanson eventually left the Quad City area. In 1983 – 1985 while at Quint Cities Judo, Stephen was also an instructor for the Augustana College Judo Club in Rock Island. In 1984, Stephen, now a Sandan, also pursued judo in the school systems when he was a high school teacher and an assistant wrestling coach. From 1987 to around 1994 Stephen continued to be active at the Quint Cities Judo club. From 1995 – 1998 while affiliated with Quint Cites Judo, Stephen was also the instructor for the Teikyo Marycrest Judo Club. He was a founder of the TMU Budo Club that had multiple martial arts. He later became the advisor for the budo club. While at TMU Stephen adapted a Judo Club Constitution for the University. He developed a Martial Arts Program for that school – that did not reach fruition due to struggles the college was facing at the time. He then created a single MA 100 Martial Arts college course that was accepted by the university but did not run due to low enrollment. Besides the TMU Judo Club, Stephen also worked out at Dynamo Judo Club in Iowa and was affiliated with that club until knee injuries caused him to limit judo workouts to a training partner. Stephen had arthroscopic surgeries on his knees in the 1990s. Later in 2017 he had had full knee replacements. The Japanese proverb that resonates with him is: “Fall down seven times get up eight.” Over the years Stephen placed in tournaments in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In 1981 he won first place at the Illinois pre-nationals for his weight division. Shortly after that he had a dislocated elbow and could not go to nationals. He did complete the following year at nationals – the 100 th year anniversary of the founding of Judo. Stephen has done many Judo demonstrations over the years at the YMCA, public schools (elementary and high school) as well at colleges / universities. His message was: “Judo is for everyone.” Besides doing Judo Stephen has worked out with weights, doing yoga and other exercise since the 1970s. Stephen also studied Aikido and Shinkendo. He has done meditation since 2007. Stephen is married and has two adult sons. Judo Certifications USJA National Judo Rank Examiner 05/30/2018 USA Coach IL 03E0040 2/14/2003 EICC Training Certificates / NAFSA Training Certificates Active Shooter: Run, Hide, Fight (Full Course) 10/05/2022 Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Prevention (Full Course) 10/05/2022 Child Abuse - Mandatory Reporting (Full Course) 10/05/2022 Clery Act Overview (Full Course) 10/05/2022 Discrimination Awareness in the Workplace (Full Course) 10/05/2022 Diversity and Inclusion - Faculty and Staff (Full Course) 10/05/2022 FERPA - Confidentiality of Records (Full Course) 10/06/2022 Sensitivity Awareness (Full Course) 10/06/2022 Sexual Harassment - Policy and Prevention (Full Course) 10/06/2022 Title IX - Roles of Employees (Full Course) 10/06/2022 EDU 101A eCertification: Developing Online Courses 2010 Eastern Iowa Community College District: Workplace Spanish classes 2008 Grant Writing Two Day Workshop: GEM$ 2007 NAFSA Conference and Workshop: F-1 Regulations – The Second Step 2004 NAFSA Conference Workshop: F-1 Regulations for Beginners 2000 Education Teikyo Marycrest University Japanese Language 1992 –1994 (2 ½ years) Western Illinois University Master of Arts 1987, History Augustana College Teaching Certificate 1977 – 1978 Augustana College Bachelor of Arts 1974 History and Religion Note – Stephen also had a concentration of courses in Asian studies at Augustana Black Hawk College Associate of Arts 1972, History Awards / Honors USJA Godan 5th degree black belt 11/29/2022 Finalist in e excellence in online instruction award 03/26/2018 Kodokan Diploma – Yodan 4 th degree black belt 01/17/2000 Presidential Sports Award: Judo March 1992 Presidential Sports Award: Weight Training July 1992 The Honor Society of Phi Kapa Phi 04/17/1987 Phi Alpha Theta (International Honor Society of Historians) 12/07/1987 Current Memberships United States Judo Association (USJA) – Life Member USA Judo – Life Member (Illinois Judo Association) United States Judo Federation (USJF) – Life Member (CJBBA) Past Memberships NAFSA: Association of International Educators World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities National Education Association (NEA) Illinois Education Association (IEA) Illinois Council for Social Studies Illinois Coaches Association MAEOPP (Mid-American Educational Opportunity Program Personnel) – TRIO Program EICC Committees SCC Curriculum Committee SCC Learning Community Committee EICC Chancellor’s Initiative on Globalism EICC International Student Adviser Task Force – Stephen was the facilitator EICC Chancellor’s Initiative on District Sustainability – Curriculum & Programs EICC Chancellor’s Initiative on District Sustainability – Recycling Davenport International Student Initiative for Higher Education Super Samurai Weekend Seminars – Master Toshishiro Obata Aikido: Traditional Samurai Aikijutsu certificate of participation in Aikido Seminar 04/20/1996 Aikido: Traditional Samurai Aikijutsu certificate of participation in Aikido Seminar 04/08/1995 Aikido: Traditional Samurai Aikijutsu certificate of participation in Aikido Seminar 03/28/1992 Interests Judo, Working out, Yoga, Meditation, Art Subjects enjoy studying: Comparative Religions, History, Philosophy, Asian Studies Outdoor activities: Travel, Camping, Hiking, National Parks |
