I
State of Our Schools
t was like a family reunion. To see friends in person and without masks evoked smiles, laughter, hugs, and excitement! In September of 2022, the educators of the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) were able to have a teacher inservice together in one place for the first time in a couple of years. A positive vibe was in the air. The start of the 2022-2023 school year felt like coming out of a deep fog and finding that sunshine was finally upon us. Though we still had some protocols in place following the pandemic, this year felt more “normal” than the last two years. Teachers came to the in-service dressed in their school colors, and the theme of the day was collaboration, which included a pep rally during lunch. They also split into groups by grade or subject area for collaborative sharing and planning. “It was so much fun to see people in person again, and I really loved getting to know other sixth-grade teachers from other schools. We wanted to keep meeting to share ideas throughout the year,” said Penny Richards, Loma Linda Academy sixth-grade teacher. After surveying educators in our conference in the fall of 2021, our team sat down to “review and reset” our vision for the future with a new mission statement and set of core values. We were able to implement action steps to help our educators be more effective. We hired a new staff member with expertise in special education to assist teachers by providing tools, resources, and trainings to serve special needs students. We created Professional Learning Community groups for subject areas and grade levels. Experts in mental health and trauma-informed needs of students conducted four trainings for our educators this school year. We also have a full-time person in our office who is assisting schools in marketing and enrollment strategies.
40 Pacific Union Recorder
Southeastern California Conference
We are excited about the future of Adventist education in the Southeastern California Conference. We have more initiatives we are working on and are blessed to have supportive conference leadership and involvement as we look to “face the future with courage as we adapt to our changing world.” To read more about our mission, values, and schools, visit secceducation.org. ____________________ By Datha Tickner
TOP: Teachers show their school spirit. ABOVE: Teachers across SECC collaborate at in-service.