The Educators’ Convention to be held in Phoenix, AZ, from August 7-10, 2023, will highlight the 5th NAD-wide experience for Adventist educators. The first convention (2000) was held in Dallas, TX, then in Nashville, TN (2006 and 2012), and many of you will recall Chicago, IL, back in 2018. Through God’s providence we can have a face-to-face experience this year that will be both memorable and edifying. Pack a sweater for the indoor air conditioning and shorts for that Arizona dry heat.

Have you ever wondered why we go through the detailed planning and expense to bring educators from across our vast territory together? This is our way to say, “thank you” to each one of you for being the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus in classrooms, in dorms, in offices, in work programs, on sports fields, and in the pedagogy of Adventist Education. This professional development event will bring together approximately 6,000 educators from across our NAD territory and beyond. Some of our guests will also be from other Adventist Ministries. We welcome them and seek to find opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

This convention’s theme, Something Better, is a reminder that Jesus offers each one of us “something better” than the world has to offer. Ellen White tells us that “to honor Christ, to become like Him, to work for Him, is the life’s highest ambition and its greatest joy” (Education, p. 296). Educators at Convention come to grow, to learn, to network, and to share. The planning of this growth experience has each of you in mind as we seek corporate worship experiences, an introduction to the initiatives of Journey to Excellence 2.0, and opportunities to find those areas of personnel interest that will grow you in your sphere of influence.

There will be over 300 presentations, divided throughout five breakout sessions, mostly conducted by Adventist practitioners in the classroom. In addition to the well thought out devotional time, keynote speakers, music,  and over 150 exhibitors, some new features to this convention will be Ed Talks, Spark Tank, and a special track for Early Childhood. Read more in this newsletter and/or visit https://nadeducatorsconvention.com/.

Thank you for another year of service in Adventist Education!

Stay well and safe.

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Arne Nielsen, PhD

NAD Vice President of Education