JULY 2013 We are the Alumni Awards Foundation. We are a nonprofit organization working to improve Adventist K-12 Schools. This is our newsletter. MOVING ADVENTIST EDUCATION UP FOR J WARD oan and I first attended an Alumni Awards concerned people with valuable information. Foundation (AAF) annual gathering in These events led to the establishment of the 2001. We were impressed to learn that one of Renaissance Network. the objectives of AAF was to reach out to those Joan and I want our grandchildren, great who had attended an Adventist school and grandchildren, and all other interested children had continuing positive ties to the school and to have access to a Christian education. We are classmates, but are not currently active in the inspired and enthused to be able to work together Adventist church. This “reaching out” by AAF had with educators, committed parents, church a deep emotional appeal to us, along leaders, and students who share Only as the Lord this vision. We believe that the with our interest in joining others in l e a ds a nd a s we Lord is leading and that there is supporting Seventh-day Adventist Christian education. remember how He a resurgence of energy to move In time we were invited has led in the past Adventist education forward to join the board of directors. We will we be successful. and upward. attended board meetings, helped Only as the Lord leads and as we identify and recognize outstanding teachers, and remember how He has led in the past will we be honored alumni. But it seemed that while AAF successful. The opportunity to be a part of this was making a contribution to Adventist Christian effort is what motivates us, sustains us, and gives education, it was not addressing the “big” issues us hope for the future. standing in the way of our schools growing, We thank God for Christian education, and progressing and demonstrating the leadership that we thank God for the Alumni Awards Foundation. God would have us provide. Long hours were spent in attempting to identify areas of excellence in the Adventist education system and areas that needed new emphasis or new direction. This led to AAF’s sponsorship of a series of town meetings across Dr. George Harding, AAF Board Member the North American Division that gave the opportunity for input from a cross section of 2013 Read more online at AlumniAwards.org/News Oliver Morada, History & Government Thunderbird Adventist Academy Excellence Morada has the ability to make an ordinary subject come alive. It is not unusual to see students acting out a historical event in costume, or finding Morada standing on a chair, exciting his students about an event in history. AWARDS Guadalupe Negrete, 7th & 8th Grade El Dorado Adventist School in Teaching Negrete has a gift for loving and connecting with her students. Her classes are always interactive – creating Spanish art projects and preparing Spanish cuisine that the whole classroom enjoys. Her classroom is a model of creative artifacts and visuals. In May and June, these 10 outstanding teachers were celebrated across the North American Division. AAF board members & staff traveled from coast to coast to present each teacher with a $2,000 gift, medallion and Certificate of Excellence during special events hosted by the recipients’ schools. Below are the 2013 teachers that we were pleased to honor with this award. Olga Simmons, Principal & K – 8th Grade New Hope SDA School Simmons is a proactive leader. After becoming principal, she quickly started fundraising efforts. For example, she visited all SDA churches in the Fort Lauderdale area to advertise the need for textbooks and a new stairway. She also sought after help to organize and clean the school. Ophelia Barizo, Science Dept. Head Highland View Academy Rachel Simons, English & History Richmond Academy Barizo partners with community and academic organizations to engage her students in meaningful outdoor experiences. For example, her class takes trips to photograph, collect and identify different species of mushrooms. Simons instills a “No Slacking” mentality in her students. Because of her dedication, national test scores at the school have dramatically increased. Forty percent of the student body scored within the top 15 percent in the area of language arts in 2012. Tanya Stotz, K – 2nd Grade San Fernando Valley Academy Catherine Farkas, 2nd – 4th Grade Middletown Christian School of SDA Mainly known as a top-notch educator, Farkas also coordinates yearly fundraising programs. In the last few years, she used Math-a-Thon materials to raise more than $7,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that benefits cancer survivors. Stotz’s unique lessons have her student and colleagues saying they are spell bound – especially by her yearly butterfly experience. She brings 250 larvae to school so the students can experience the entire metamorphosis of the butterfly within their classroom. Sara Guzik, Principal & 2nd – 8th Grade Echo Ridge Christian School Reymelinda Villaruel, 5th & 6th Grade Jackson Heights SDA Church School Guzik’s determination is the reason Echo Ridge Christian School is open today. In 2011, she raised enrollment through parent involvement, recruited volunteers, solicited donations for new iPads, and put aggressive marketing efforts into place. Villaruel created a Mathletes program that not only trains students to compete in mathematics competitions, but also boosts their selfconfidence in math and their love for the subject. The school’s standardized test math scores have also increased each year due to her diligent work. thank Shenandoah Valley SDA Elementary Minty has taken a stand against social issues affecting children today. He has a zero tolerance policy against bullying to ensure his classroom is a safe environment where every student feels accepted for who they are. you Jim Minty, 5th, 6th, and Music T h i s p r o g ra m wo u l d n o t b e possible without the support from t h e fo l l ow i n g universities: Andrews University Loma Linda University Oakwood University Southern Adventist University Walla Walla University Thunderbird adventist academy FACULTY MEET & GREETS O 2nd year results 1. Enrollment continually increased from 137 in the first year of partnership to 150 in the second year. 2. Spiritual and community outreach was emphasized with the addition of a chaplain and religion teacher, and with community service and spiritual-emphasis events. 3. A new math/science teacher was added to the faculty to offer more classes for students, including AP and Honors courses. 4. Data assessments of student progress and instruction were conducted with the help of Chico State University. 5. Co-curricular experiences including Acro, Varsity Sports, Student Association and Clubs were highlighted. 6. Marketing materials were developed and distributed leading to a significant increase in tax credits, donations and participation. This provided $50,000 in annual worthy student scholarships. 7. Phase two of the dorm renovations was completed. 8. Administration and faculty were provided with customer service emphasis training. n May 2, 2013, Thunderbird faculty and staff joined the AAF Board of Directors and staff at the Westin Kierland Resort for a night of food, fun and visioning. This night was a great opportunity for the people behind Thunderbird and AAF to get to know one another on a personal level and brainstorm about the future of Thunderbird as a Renaissance school. Christ’s ambassadors in a competitive and progressive world. Thank you to all the teachers, staff, parents, conference leaders, students, donors, and great organizations who are making this vision a reality. In May and June, AAF staff and board members hosted similar events at Madison Academy and Hinsdale Adventist Academy to meet the staff and share what is entailed in being a part of the Renaissance Network. At every school, teachers participated in focus group exercises where they gave insight into these four questions: • What are the attributes of a healthy, excellent Adventist K-12 school? • What obstacles or barriers prevent your school from thriving? • What is needed to overcome the barriers you have identified? • Going forward, what can the Renaissance Network do for you, your colleagues and your school to make it vibrant and excellent? The insights and perspectives learned from these focus groups will be used to shape the Renaissance Network’s vision and objectives. AAF’s goal is to see Adventist schools thriving, developing our future church, and serving as lights in their individual communities. AAF believes that if Adventist schools are to become leaders in Christian education, they must demonstrate that they are the obvious choice in preparing students to be TOP: Oliver Morada, Thunderbird Adventist Academy teacher, shares his focus group’s ideas about improving Adventist education. BOTTOM: Ben Purvis, Oliver Morada, John O’Brien, and Arlene Morada enjoy dessert after the faculty meet and greet in Scottsdale, Arizona. P l e a s e ! visit alumniawards.org to review our presentation and see more photos from each Renaissance school. contact us! our Renaissance School MANAGERS Scho ol managers may b est b e described as regional managers of Renaissance Network schools. The school manager assigned to each school brings administrative experience as the mentor and direct supervisor of the principal, prov iding onsite professional support and direction. Among many things, the school manager ensures the school develops and implements an annual, realistic, comprehensive School Enhancement Plan. They also foster collaboration between the local school board, conference and Renaissance Network. 423.308.1855 [email protected] find us online here: Alumni Awards.org Alumni Awards Foundation NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CHATTANOOGA, TN PERMIT NO. 371 (Alumni Achievement Awards Inc.) 7201 Shallowford Road, Suite 200 Chattanooga, TN 37421 GREG GERARD, Ed.D. Madison Academy Dr. Greg Gerard has been Principal of Georgia-Cumberland Academy (GCA) since 2002 and became involved with AAF in 2004, when GCA received the Academy Award for Excellence. Since then Dr. Gerard has served on the AAF Board of Directors. Currently, Dr. Gerard is the Renaissance School Manager to Madison Academy. Prior to GCA, Gerard was principal at Midland Adventist Academy and Great Lakes Adventist Academy, as well as Vice President of Advancement at La Sierra University. He holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University and belongs to the National Association of Secondary School Principals. WENDEL TUCKER, Ph.D. Hinsdale Adventist Academy Dr. Wendel Tucker has nearly 20 years of experience in the public school system and 26 years in the Seventh-day Adventist education system. Past positions include Superintendent of the Alvord School District, Vice President of Advancement and University Relations at La Sierra University, and principal at three different Adventist academies. Dr. Tucker started working with AAF in 2011 helping to kick start the Pilot Program at Thunderbird Adventist Academy. His current role is Renaissance School Manager to Hinsdale Adventist Academy. Dr. Tucker holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership. CYRIL CONNELLY, Ed.D. Thunderbird Adventist Academy AAF welcomes Dr. Cyril Connelly to the team as Renaissance School Manager to Thunderbird Adventist Academy. Dr. Connelly has more than 40 years of success in progressively responsible administrative positions in secondary, undergraduate and graduate education. He has been principal, vice principal, and/or business manager at seven different academies, as well as Vice President for Enrollment Management at La Sierra University and Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Development at Loma Linda University. Dr. Connelly holds a doctorate in Educational Administration from Loma Linda University. Board of Directors Dr. Robert Summerour, Chairman Dave Briscoe Dr. Barbara Chipeur Atty. Gerald Chipeur Dr. Joan Coggin Byron DeFoor Dr. CH De Haan Dr. George Harding Dr. Carla Lidner-Baum John O’Brien Jr. Ambassador Kathy Proffitt Arpad Soo Adela Soo Max Treviño Tom Werner Gary Wilt Staff Melanie Litchfield – AAF Director Dr. Wendel Tucker – Renaissance School Manager Dr. Greg Gerard – Renaissance School Manager Dr. Cyril Connelly – Renaissance School Manager Kayce Foote – Communications & Donor Relations Coordinator Nichole DeFoor – Administrative Assistant