Last year the Alumni Awards Foundation (AAF) Board of Directors took a bold step to meet with church leaders and educators to identify solutions to challenges in Adventist education. We've been inspired by our partnerships with organizations, foundations and individuals who also wish to create positive change in Adventist schools. Together we are exploring new ways of bringing financial solvency and excellence to the schools that have so deeply impacted our lives and relationships.
Working with a dynamic group of church leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, and others, AAF has begun work on an alternative operational model for the education system that embraces distinctive Adventist core values and aims to make world-class education more accessible to Adventist families and more sustainable in an ever-changing economy. We aim to empower a generation of innovative Adventist academies to provide unparalleled spiritual and academic experiences for young people. AAF believes it can serve as a conduit for the most creative and resolute minds in the Adventist community to seek solutions and implement strategies that extend beyond what the church structure currently offers.
A complete framework of how the initiative would function is being discussed and tested for feasibility. Eligible schools would have the option of participating in a comprehensive program that utilitzes an alternative operational model designed to:
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Recruit and develop strong principals
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Clarify the role and renew the vision of school boards
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Build collaboration with conference and union education departments
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Set higher expectations for the spiritual environment and academic standards
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Establish advanced, sound financial systems
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Establish effective fundraising and development programs
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Demonstrate credibility and renew constituent loyalty
By Spring 2011, AAF will have completed a definitive outline of the proposed model. At this time, 30 delegates representing the diverse Adventist community, will review and revise the proposed model for the next generation of Adventist K-12 schools.
Significant dates toward this endeavor include:
September 2009-Present: AAF has hosted four Renaissance Adventist Education summits in California, Tennessee, Florida, and Washington, D.C. AAF gathered insight from a diverse mix of nearly 600 distinguished professionals, young parents, educators, and church leaders about potential solutions to severe challenges that threaten Adventist K-12 schools.
December 22, 2009: The North American Division (NAD) Office of Education expressed "full support" of AAF's Renaissance summits and a desire to partner together to help solve issues facing Adventist education.
January 5, 2010: Former NAD President Don Schneider wrote to express support and desire to collaborate on finding "sustainable, creative ways to move forward."
March 13, 2010: The Versacare Foundation partnered with AAF to help fund and develop the proposed model.
April 25, 2010: AAF secured sponsorship and partnership with the Commonweal Foundation.
May 19, 2010: The AAF Board met with all union education directors and their associates in Chicago to share AAF's progress and solicit input. Not only did AAF receive positive feedback about the rapid progress of the proposed model, but they were urged to move forward in its development.
June 6-8, 2010: AAF held a meeting of the first-ever Knowledge Community in Park City, Utah. The Community, composed of 15 individuals with extensive experience in education, offered invaluable suggestions and feedback on the evolving model, which they will continue to critique at each phase of its development.
August 4, 2010: AAF made a presentation before the North American Division (NAD) President's Cabinet in Orlando, Florida. The group included top NAD administration and the presidents of all nine unions in the NAD. The 1.5-hour meeting included a brief presentation on the initial concept of the new model and time for feedback and questions. Larry Blackmer, Vice President for Education, also attended the meeting, expressing his support of AAF's mission of finding new ways to sustain Adventist education. The Cabinet unanimously agreed that AAF continue developing the concept and push toward a summit where delegates can review, revise and vote on the proposed program. The ideas and questions gathered are currently being incorporated into the design.
September 1, 2010: AAF staff and Southern Adventist University senior Jason Busch met at a roundtable to discuss future episodes of the Pilot Light Podcast. Plans to release an episode on building community relations is scheduled for early September. Storyboards and interviews are being planned to cover future episodes on AAF's vision for the future and a behind the scenes look at the journey of the AAF staff working for the foundation. Other ideas are also currently being explored. Jason, a broadcast major at SAU, has covered two of AAF's Renaissance Adventist Education summits for the Pilot Light Podcast. These and other past episodes can be heard at pilotlightpodcast.org.
September 12, 2010: AAF will host its second Knowledge Community in St. Joseph, Michigan. The Community consists of 20 distinguished individuals from diverse backgrounds and generations who have agreed to lend their strategic input as an alternative model for Adventist K-12 education is developed. The first AAF Knowledge Community gathering was held June 6-8, in Park City, Utah.
Check back for weekly updates on our progress for stronger Adventist schools.
RENAISSANCE SUMMIT REPORTS
Check out the preliminary
Summary of Findings Report, which reviews the Top Five Barriers to Growth in Adventist Schools. This two-page document is the product of more than 55 focus group discussions that aimed to define issues facing Adventist schools and explore potential solutions. The focus groups were convened at four different
Renaissance Adventist Education summits sponsored by the Alumni Awards Foundation.
Downloads:
Preliminary Summary of Findings, Renaissance Adventist Education
RENAISSANCE ADVENTIST EDUCATION
The Alumni Awards Foundation is awakening positive change in Adventist K-12 Education through regional summits called
Renaissance Adventist Education. Find out just what happens at these events
HERE.
2010 EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS
Ten of North America’s finest Adventist teachers were selected by the Alumni Awards Foundation (AAF) in April for the remarkable impact they’ve had in their local schools. AAF, in conjunction with individual schools, presented the annual Excellence in Teaching Awards at Adventist schools around the country in May and June.
Countless teachers were nominated this spring for the 2010 Excellence in Teaching Awards. Nominations included recommendations by peer teachers, principals, superintendents, and union education directors. The awards, which included $1,000 gift to each recipient, were delivered publicly at recognition ceremonies dedicated to each teacher.
The 10 finalists were selected on a basis of classroom innovation, passion for teaching, professional growth, and commitment to Adventist education. “Great teachers are the heartbeat of great Adventist schools,” says Melanie Eddlemon, associate director of the AAF. “We look for teachers who are leaders at their schools, teachers who inspire both their peers and their students.”
AAF seeks to empower Adventist schools to become stronger. The AAF Board of Directors is comprised of individuals who have become leaders in their communities and professions. AAF board members say they draw inspiration from their own roots in Adventist schools. Their major objective is to strengthen and reward quality education.
“Monetary and national recognition is our way of showing our deep appreciation for extraordinary teachers,” says AAF board member Byron DeFoor. “These teachers are life-changers, and we want to give them the value they deserve.”
AAF is a nonprofit organization that develops and funds programs to stimulate excellence in Adventist schools across North America. Since its establishment in 1995, AAF has awarded grants totaling more than $1.4 million. Through its awards program, AAF has recognized 89 exceptional teachers with an Excellence in Teaching Award, and 14 exemplary academies with an Academy Award for Excellence. The foundation aims to awaken the Adventist community to the full potential of Adventist schools.
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(From left to right) Pastor James Owens of Longview Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Patricia Thompson, Principal Brenda Cowan of Alcy Seventh-day Adventist Junior Academy, and President Dana Edmond of the South Central Conference. Photo By: Roger Farwell
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CONGRATULATIONS to these award-winning teachers!
- Verna Canaday, Tri-City Junior Academy, Upper Columbia Conference
- Janel Fields, V.Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School, Central States Conference
- Patricia Fulton, Bermuda Institute, Bermuda Conference
- Robert Nobuhara, Monterey Bay Academy, Central California Conference
- Carol Oster, Olney Adventist Preparatory School, Potomac Conference
- Tammy Overstreet, Osceola Adventist Christian School, Florida Conference
- Patricia Thompson, Alcy Seventh-day Adventist Junior Academy, South-Central Conference
- Gelena Renee Turner, Dallas Christian Academy, Texas Conference
- Sara Willard, Summit Christian Academy, Nevada-Utah Conference
- Jerry Zappia, El Dorado Adventist School, Northern California Conference
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(From left to right) Principal Tim Kubrock of Monterey Bay Academy, 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Robert Nobuhara, and Alumni Awards Foundation Board Member Arpad Soo.
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Above (Speaking) Principal Norma Mann of V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School, Executive Secretary Roger Bernard of the Central States Conference and 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Janel Fields.
Bottom left (From left to right) Principal Kimberlie Hogan of Olney Adventist Preparatory School and 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Carol Oster.
Bottom right (From left to right) Nevada-Utah Conference Superintendent of Education Anita Molstead and 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient Sara Willard of Summit Christian Academy.
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