Have you ever felt like you needed a magic wand when taking on a task that promised to stretch you? If only it were that simple. As a child, I learned that magic wands and fairy godmothers exist only in the world of fictional, childhood fantasy. In the real world, I have access to an Omnipotent God, who has promised that He will withhold no good gift if we walk uprightly. I am assured that God is in total control of everything—His creation and anything else we could undertake or imagine.
Yet, if I am to be totally transparent, I have wished for a magic wand many times over, as I have consecrated myself to a leading role in God’s work in Adventist Christian education. For example, I have had to learn and match the faces and names of 282 students, capture the nuances of their family structures, understand the work patterns of faculty and staff while establishing vibrant professional relationships, establish processes for a more efficient work environment, and not to mention the policies, handbooks, and manuals I am to read. If only I had a magic wand!
On July 1, 2022, as the newly-appointed principal of Bermuda Institute (BI), I fully appreciated Jonah’s dilemma. I decided it was best to avoid the belly-of-a-whale scenario and join God in His plans for my life. So, with respect and trepidation, I firmly planted my feet in the principal’s office and took my place at the principal’s desk. I knew this appointment was part of God’s plan for me. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) informs me that “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, and the new is here!” I also realized that God has placed me on the Potter’s lathe to be molded further. Another reason I accepted the role of principal at BI is that I believe anything is possible with God. As a former BI student, teacher, and present stakeholder, I have seen students of Bermuda Institute achieve incredible things with God’s help. I believe God has more planned for us in the future.
Our word for this school year is “exceptional,” and we have embarked on a transformational journey. Therefore, as I began the journey, I determined to answer the following questions: How are we doing? What are our stakeholders’ perspectives? Do they see what I see? Do they see the potential? Along with my leadership team, I decided that during the first 100 days of the school year, we would conduct an assessment of the school. We created a survey so that all BI stakeholders who believe in Adventist Christian education, and want the best for our school will have an opportunity to inform us of what is going well and where we have some growth opportunities. We would use this data to enable a more effective evaluation of programs, resources, and interventions; and to facilitate student and school success. These data points would drive our strategic plan.
As life unfolds for me in this position, the team and the school are also under construction. I sincerely believe God planted within our hearts a desire for Bermuda Institute to be the premier choice for education in Bermuda! We are committed to a God-led, community-supported, innovative future. We invite everyone to help us breathe life into our mission statement as we press toward the mark! According to Socrates, the secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old but on building the new. Therefore, one of the hallmarks of my principalship will be to move forward with a vision anchored by clarity about what is vital to BI’s stakeholders.
No, this new school year, we do not need a magic wand! This is not a fairy tale. This is the real world in a post-modern age. We don’t need to find ourselves in the belly of Jonah’s whale, either. We just need mustard seed faith to usher in the endless possibilities and realities that God has already envisioned for us. Let us embark upon a new beginning with new ideas and new energy. Let us seize the counsel of Habakkuk 2:2, and “write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” New beginnings, ideas, and energy can be exciting and awkward, but we have nothing to fear with God at the helm.
