The experience at Andrews Professional Day is a win-win for both students and leaders as it affords administrators, both public and parochial, an opportunity to see the upcoming teacher candidates and potential teachers for their own school systems. Pictured is Hunter Penn with Indiana Academy Principal Timothy Erich. Photos by Katie Fellows
The experience is a win-win for both students and leaders as it affords administrators, both public and parochial, an opportunity to see the upcoming teacher candidates and potential teachers for their own school systems.
The day begins with having a joint continental breakfast, fruit, and other fresh goodies. This is followed by worship facilitated by the Andrews students. Seniors share their favorite bible quote and why, giving an opportunity for public speaking and insight into personality.
After worship, several Ed Talks are presented by members of Lake Union and public-school administrators. Presentation topics are ones that meet the interest of both superintendent and student, such as “Soft Skills Matter”, “The Value of Building Relationships” and “It’s More About Who You Are than What You Do.” Following the Ed Talks, the groups separate into respective areas to have targeted presentations that meet their specific needs.
The groups come back together to share lunch and more fellowship. After the noon meal, there are mock interviews where the administrators are matched with a student. For fifteen minutes the student shares their resume, and the administrator interviews the student. The students rotate to a new administrator every fifteen minutes, having four speed interviews in one hour. The mock interviews are followed with a panel discussion where the administrators answer relevant questions regarding what future teachers should expect in procuring a job in education. The day ends with refreshments and social time and a final presentation by a master teacher giving them tips on thriving in the first year of teaching.
Presenters included Wadzanai Bepe, Lake Union special education consultant; D’Andria Jackson, clinical psychologist; Clem Sheppard, retired St. Joseph Public school educator; Bradley Sheppard, retired superintendent of instruction at Elkhart Community School and Steve Baughman, Bainum Family Foundation, Advancing Christian Education (ACE) Academy Manager.
Since his days as Indiana Academy principal and now in his role at Bainum, Baughman sees his mission as supporting leaders for and within the Seventh-day Adventist Education system.
He explained that teaching is a uniquely skilled craft that must be honed to be effective and that there are simple things that can be applied early in a teaching career, even as a first-year teacher, that can set an individual up for success as they begin the process of honing that craft. Additionally, some of those simple things can also help prevent the burnout that may otherwise be experienced. “I'm blessed to be a part of this program as it allows me to play a part of contributing to the critical pipeline of leadership within the Adventist system.”
He added, “Teachers have the amazing opportunity to be a source of stability and strength for their students who may be coming from backgrounds that lack those components. It should not be taken lightly that the teacher has a responsibility to take care of themselves so that they can give their best selves to their students every day.”
Professional day began over 25 years ago when the Andrews University Teaching, Learning and Curriculum (TLC) department, now the School of Education, created an opportunity for senior education students, to engage with local public school, Adventist, and Lake Union administrators.
Professional day historically was over a couple of days and was an event started by Richard Orrison and Bradely Sheppard.
Currently, the School of Education collaborates this one-day event with the Lake Union, which started with director of education, Linda Fuchs and now with Ruth Horton.
Michelle Bacchiocchi with Herald staff
