dventist education across the North American Division is in transition. As the economy and world events drive changes, Adventist education needs to keep pace while maintaining its core values and beliefs. Providentially, divine council has uniquely prepared us to meet emerging threats and challenges. The NAD Office of Education, the Union Directors of Education, and select committees of educators from all layers of the system are collaborating on Big Ideas, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. The goal is to provide a framework to support those ideas for the purpose of transforming lives.

In future ENGAGE newsletters and other avenues of communication, elements of strategic planning and visioning will be communicated and elaborated on. Some of the areas being explored include:

Nurturing a spirit of hope and wholeness by

• Celebrating Restoration & Intrinsic Value

• Focusing on preparing for Eternity
• Infusing the Adventist World View throughout the curriculum
• Creating emotionally healthy environments
• Integrating service learning

Building a supportive structure by

• Engaging as an NAD Education System, while acknowledging local diversity in shared mission
• Revitalizing Journey to Excellence
• Affirming Continuous School Improvement
• Developing contemporary marketing materials
• Utilizing Data
• Developing and supporting centers of influence
• Creating new funding models
• Retaining, recruiting, and nurturing educators

Re-visioning the power of learning by

• Developing a broad range of soft skills to prepare students for real life
• Prioritizing and incorporating critical thinking, collaboration, communication, & creativity (4’Cs)
• Ongoing support and development for professional learning
• Providing measures of accountability

Promoting current strategies, trends, and practices by

• Engaging students and making education relevant

• Providing greater opportunities inclusive of all learners

And by extending an invitation to all by

• Ensuring accessibility
• Creating a warm environment of inclusiveness
• Attracting all students, parents, and communities to Adventist Education

I invite each of you to pray and participate as we continue to identify initiatives that make Adventist education relevant and attainable to all who seek it.

 

Arne Nielsen

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Vice President for Education

 

 

Arne Nielsen, M.Ed.

Vice President, Education

Arne P. Nielsen believes that the real object of education, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is to transform the lives of students and “restore in man the image of his Maker … promoting the development of body, mind, and soul.”

Arne holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Andrews University and a master’s degree in School Administration from Western Carolina University. Currently, he is in the Leadership PhD program at Andrews University.