very summer Adventist Educators from across the North American Division (NAD) come together for Curriculum Committee Workshop.  Teachers come from small and large schools, early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education working together to choose texts and curriculum for preK-12 classrooms. In the past the work has been predominantly focused on textbook review and selection, but this summer educators came together for a different focus.  The correlation and creation of Adventist Proficiency Scales and support material to be used as schools across the NAD transition to Standards Based Education.  Consensus among the committee chairs was that moving forward this should be the model for summer committees, digging deep into the actual standards and curriculum, creating resources and support for teachers.

A spirit of collaboration was immediately felt as subject and grade level committees decided to meet together across grade levels and work on scales that kept each grade in mind.

“I really had no idea what I’d find at Curriculum Committee!  I found dedicated leaders, inspiring worship, professionalism, and professional growth.”  Denine Matsuda

Even veterans directors with many years of service at Curriculum Committees noted the “environment this year encourages learning and the free exchange of ideas.”

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 Secondary Director for the NAD, Stephen Bralley, emphasised “We aren’t running a sprint or even a marathon, this is an eternal journey!  The changes we intend are created as an invitation.  The work of these committees is laying the groundwork to acknowledge the expertise of the classroom teacher, giving them the tools and encouragement to learn and teach.  It’s our belief that teachers modeling the joy of learning will create students who love to learn too.  The book Education describes in the last chapter how the Eden school returns to earth so that our learning and growth may continue for Eternity.  If we aren’t creating life-long, joyful learners, full of inspired creativity and curiosity then they won’t be happy learning in Heaven for eternity.”

 The committees' work will now be edited and formatted in preparation for approval in December of this year.

H. Stephen Bralley, M.Ed.

Director of Secondary Education, North American Division