Dr. Leisa Morton-Standish

Director of Elementary Education

Dr. Leisa Morton-Standish is the Director of Elementary Education at the North American Division. She has taught  in small rural schools as well as in large urban schools. She has taught on the east and west coasts of the U.S, both in and out of the Adventist education system, and overseas. She has also spent a considerable part of her career teaching at universities, including the University of Maryland, Washington Adventist University and Macquarie University. Leisa holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland, an MA in Education from California State University and a Diploma in Education from Avondale College. Leisa is committed to Christ and the ideals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her first love is the classroom where she can share her passion for learning and her love for Jesus.

ictor Hugo famously penned the thought, “To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark”. This summer we release the new NAD English Langauage Arts program, Pathways 2.0. The aim is that our students will not only learn to read but that we kindle the desire to read, write and explore.

Pathways 2.0 is built on the Adventist world view and incorporates award-winning books that will engage the children while incorporating research-based skills and strategies that enable them to become life-long learners. ALC will be releasing professional development training modules in June 2019.

The revised program includes:

• New features including 30% new texts, 50% information texts, standards-based instruction, a comprehensive Daily Lesson Guide (DLG) for each anchor text, and Biblically-based essential questions and big ideas that focus on the theme.
• Spiritual Applications that help students make good choices in life as well as in reading content.
• Reading Strategies that foster inquiry, systematic instruction and the ability to read, comprehend and apply complex text.
• Reading Motivation that helps students develop a lifelong passion for reading.
• Writing Instruction that supports and encourages writing practice for different purposes and audiences.
• Word Study is embedded in the program though systematic, daily practice in phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary and spelling.
• Spelling, Handwriting and Grammar Skills that systematically address the specific developmental level of each student.
• A Variety of Assessment Tools are included in the DLG.
• Classroom Management that includes whole-class, small group, and individual student activities.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8.