In celebration of March being Women’s History Month, Biola is highlighting alumnae who are faithfully serving and leading in their communities. This monthlong series features women whose work reflects Biola’s mission in action.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences alumna Emily Zybach (Anderson, B.A. ’11) saw her classmate having trouble with their Kindergarten class lessons. Her desire to be a teacher stemmed from Zybach’s immediate urge to help her classmate not only understand the lesson but also ensure her classmate did not feel bad about not grasping the material at the same pace as the others.

“As I progressed through elementary and high school, I knew I wanted to communicate information to people, specifically history, since it is so important and shapes who we are as individuals and as a society,” said Zybach.

After 14 years in the classroom in Oklahoma, Zybach’s influence on high school students’ lives has gained national recognition. Last year, Zybach received the 2025 Herzog Foundation Christian Teacher of the Year award, underscoring her dedication to teaching students about the past through a biblical lens. In highlighting her award, the foundation featured Zybach’s interactive approach in teaching about the historic 1920s stock market crash.

“She brings innovation to life with a hands-on 1920s stock market simulation that immerses students in the economic highs of the Roaring Twenties and the shock of the 1929 crash,” according to a post by the Herzog Foundation. “This interactive lesson not only teaches history, math, and economics but also reinforces Biblical principles of stewardship, trust, and the danger of placing hope in wealth.”

Zybach studied history with an emphasis in American history during her time at Biola University, where she noted her professors helped her learn how to analyze and assess sources effectively. However, her time as a student was notably shaped by her time in the Torrey Honors College, formerly known as the Torrey Honors Institute, Biola’s undergraduate great books honors program.

“My greatest maturation and growth took place within the Torrey Honors Institute [College]. Being a member of Torrey taught me how to think and process information, how to examine the theological and philosophical roots of our Western culture,” said Zybach. “This has helped me be able to teach with a Christian worldview more explicitly and teach my students how to think biblically in our subject. It has also helped me immensely when it comes to communicating politics and culture by explaining the roots of the ideas and how they were established, whether that was from the Scientific Revolution, the Renaissance or Greek philosophy.

Zybach’s passion for teaching history is palpable. So is her passion for making connections with her students in the classroom.

“Some of the most rewarding moments are when students make connections all on their own or ask the deeper questions. Those are great days! When we are able to easily discuss the Bible in the midst of the academic topic we are discussing is when I can see them growing the most, and that is a blessing,” said Zybach. “One of the other most rewarding things is having a relationship with these students and seeing them live out their God-given personalities and grow in godly character.”

What she does know is that even after eventually retiring from teaching, Zybach’s desire to impact the next generation will endure.

“Whether it is at church where I volunteer with elementary students, or in the high school where I teach teenagers, or with my own children, I know that I have a natural connection with the next generation, and I intend to make sure I am always speaking into their lives,” said Zybach. “When I retire from teaching, that is not the end of my interactions with teenagers or the younger generations. I will always be involved with kids and teenagers in some capacity, helping them understand a personal struggle or an academic subject, helping them walk in Christ or find their God-given purpose.”

In the history major at Biola’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, students examine the key events, trends and worldviews that have shaped human civilization. Learn more and apply to Biola before May 1, 2026.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager. For more information, email sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu.