At the beginning of this quinquennium, the Atlantic Union Conference established the theme, “United, We Will Go.” With this theme in mind, and following after the counsel given from the pen of inspiration, which says, “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world” (Education, p. 271), the goal of the Atlantic Union Conference Office of Education (AUCOE) is to train our administrators, teachers, and students to lead, empower them to serve, and inspire them to be ready for the soon coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
Training to Lead
One of the objectives of the AUCOE is to provide leadership among conference educators and students. As we emerge from the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is clear that there has been a global paradigm shift in the teaching and learning processes of education. Studies have shown that academic processes are experiencing rapid changes, and therefore, it is imperative that educators be on the cutting edge of such changes to be efficient leaders.
The Atlantic Union provides many initiatives that support leadership among administrators, teachers, and students. One initiative is the Atlantic Union Conference and Andrews University Partnership Program, which is available to all educators. This program provides opportunities for teachers to complete their master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Special Education, Teaching, and Curriculum and Instruction, and provides a pathway to personal and professional development and teacher certification.
Curriculum Planning is the core of an educational system; AUCOE provides for consistent leadership in this regard. AUCOE facilitates frequent leadership meetings, professional development sessions, and advisory sessions, where educators from local conferences are trained and then return to their territory and pass on what they learned. Leadership training is also available through the North American Division (NAD). Examples of this training include summer committee meetings, educational conventions, and advisory sessions.
Standards-Based Learning (SBL) is a new initiative in our educational system. AUCOE is currently training administrators and teachers to become competent leaders in SBL.
Among the leadership programs that are prepared for students is the annual Academy Connect. The acronym SLAM (Spiritual/sports Leadership Art/academics Music/media) is used in the preparation and training of our youth. Through this program, students receive training in leadership skills. Some of the training initiatives include sessions that cater to the following:
• Emerging Leadership—teaches the skills, tools, and habits utilized by successful leaders.
• Positive, Purpose-driven Leadership—helps students to focus on the core values of their organization and lets them guide their actions.
• Leading Inclusively—where students learn to build courage, empathy, and intention that helps individuals feel a true sense of belonging.
In addition to catering to leadership skills, there is leadership training in other areas. One is spiritual training—where students are given the opportunity to take charge of their own spiritual journey and initiate support in leading others to Christ. In sports training, they learn the fundamentals of sports and Christian sportsmanship. Art training shows students how to use art in different ways to enrich and color their world for Christ while making a difference in the lives of others. Academics focuses on providing new understanding and new skills. Musical training prepares students to lead out and set the tone for intentional and meaningful worship experiences on their campuses and in their churches, thus enhancing the services to bring glory to God. In keeping with the times in which we live, media training has been added to our leadership component. Media exposes students to the technical skills necessary to lead, support, and maintain media centers at schools and churches, as well as training in the use of social media to share the gospel with the world.
Empowering to Serve
Students and teachers are empowered to serve through intentional and meaningful community service initiatives. Our students and teachers visit nursing homes, write cards to the elderly, collect canned goods, coats for the less fortunate in the winter, and books and supplies for children in other countries. Currently, we are collecting funds so that students in Ukraine can have Bible books translated, which will lead to an enriched classroom.
Students are empowered to serve each other and follow after the Great Commission to go on missions for God and make disciples. Students and teachers lead out and participate in chapel services. They lead out in education days and rallies. In Bermuda, they clean beaches. In upstate New York, they bake and share baked goods with their community. We also collaborate with the Youth Ministries department and participate in compassion initiatives.
Our goal is to ensure that we lead our students to an encounter with Jesus and to understand the Great Commission and the part they play in this commission to go and teach all nations about Jesus—the one who created people and loves them so much that He left His home in heaven, came to earth and gave His life so that we don’t have to die. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”—John 3:16 (NKJV).
Inspiring to Be Ready
Another part of the mission of AUCOE is to inspire others to be ready. Inspiring others to be ready begs the question, “Ready for what?” The answer: ready to lead, ready to serve, and ultimately ready to meet the Lord at His second coming.
When one is inspired to do something, they are not just ready to do it but a driving force compels them to do it. Inspiration can come from various sources, including scripture, a song, or a role model. No matter what we do here, whether coordinating meetings, conducting events, deciding curriculum, or any other thing, our hope is to inspire administrators, teachers, and students to be ready—ready to show Christ’s love to those around them, ready to use the intelligence, wisdom, and talents that God has given them to further His work, and ready to inspire others as they have been inspired.
Just as God inspired the prophets of old, He is present in our lives today, using us to inspire others. What is God inspiring you to do for others and for Him today?
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A collaboration by the Atlantic Union Conference education leaders Marlene Alvarez, director, and Lileth Coke and Theresa Robidoux, associate directors.
