Education

Story by Ricardo Bacchus

Two teachers recently received the Columbia Union Conference Office of Education Outstanding Educator Award: Carla Thrower, the principal of Potomac Conference’s Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Md.; and Vail Bigelow Mason, 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Chesapeake Conference’s Mt. Aetna Adventist School in Hagerstown, Md.

By presenting this award, the union’s education officials “seek to promote the recognition and appreciation of outstanding educators who have demonstrated consistent excellence,” they say.

Nine students from Columbia Union Conference academies recently received the Office of Education's annual Caring Heart Award.  See the winners below.

Blue Mountain Academy: Victoria Emilaire

Highland View Academy: Alissa Tanguay

Pine Forge Academy: Mesha Lewis

Richmond Academy: Vivian Riamundo

Spencerville Adventist Academy: Franshesca Sequeira

Shenandoah Valley Acadeny: Samuel Alberto Renderos

Story by WAU Staff

Washington Adventist University (WAU) has entered into a partnership agreement with Radians College that will help qualified graduates further their nursing education through an accelerated evening program offered by the WAU School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

“We are very pleased to partner with Radians College, and happy that we can provide their nursing graduates with a convenient and affordable path to a master’s degree,” says Weymouth Spence, Washington Adventist University president. “Hospital requirements are changing, and this university is in an excellent position to support those students who need to further their education in order to meet the new requirements.”

Story by Heidi Shoemaker / Photos by Hollie Macomber

Walk into Shona Macomber’s classroom at Spring Valley Academy (SVA) in Kettering, Ohio,  and one is transported into an artist’s paradise: bright open space, skylights, soft music and students intently working on projects—from pastels to pottery. Inside students are overheard saying, “This is my favorite class of the week!” while others stop to admire displays outside her classroom.

Story by Heidi Wetmore

When Jacob Harris was 8 years old, his family moved from Liberia to Maryland so his father could serve as a Lutheran minister. Harris was bullied in school because he was not from the United States. He decided that he didn’t want to be different and started hanging out with gang members. That decision led him to an unhealthy lifestyle including drugs, fighting and crime.