Welcome!
Mae Jemison, physician, engineer, former NASA astronaut, and first Black woman to travel into space, said that “We have an opportunity to create the future and decide what that’s like.” This is a microcosm of what has been happening in Adventist education this past quinquennium.
Through God’s leading, the NAD Office of Education has embarked on a partnership with all 9 unions and the Guam Micronesia Mission field on a Journey to Excellence. Part of this journey has seen significant changes to how we do business, in the ministry of education, across our territory. Most notable is the move toward Standards Based Education and the incremental steps being taken to accomplish that goal. A key component of the paradigm shift comes from the intentional implementation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as a focus of learning in our schools from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The integration of faith and learning that takes place in this space is important.
The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
(Deuteronomy 28:13 New International Version)
STEM education is a step toward preparing our learners for what is needed in the workplace today and into the future. This approach to education fosters creativity, divergent thinking, teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Both students and educators produce an environment and mindset that will bring about productivity and innovation, fueled by curiosity. This type of learning environment is a safe place for students to take risks, embrace mistakes, and learn from others. This is something that will equip them to be able to respond to real world challenges, once they leave the school environment, and become valued members of the workforce and society at large.
Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do. The men and women in whom this power is developed are those who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train young people to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other people’s thought.
(True Education, p. 12.1)
As the world is rapidly changing, we must keep up with the changes. STEM education is one of many tools we use in our classrooms that provides the skills needed to navigate the complexities of today’s world and workforce. Thank you for your partnership in this journey.
Prayers and courage,
TOP
Arne Nielsen, PhD
VICE PRESIDENT for EDUCATION
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