David Carter received a phone call one day that changed his life. He was working at a lumber mill when Ray Davis, the principal of Great Lakes Adventist Academy (GLAA), called. It was a Friday, right before the 1991–1992 school year began. A teacher had just resigned, and Ray scrambled to find a replacement. Ray finally reached David and asked him to come help out at the school for one year, until a permanent teacher could be located to teach chemistry and anatomy. David and his wife Gina agreed, "We can do anything for a year," and began to pack quickly for the move from New England to Michigan.

The Carters left behind the beautiful New England geography and many of Gina's family members. They were enjoying living in close proximity to Gina's parents, since they had not lived near them while in school or when Gina was a student missionary. However, not long after David and Gina moved, Gina's parents moved as well, just a few months later.

What began as a one-year agreement with the academy has turned into 17 years of dedicated service. It has been a journey that surprised even David. He says, "My dad was a teacher, and I knew from that, that I did not want to be a teacher. For me, [teaching] was not a profession I was interested in. I made no preparations whatsoever to be a teacher. I went through college and got my degree and did all the studying and learning. ... But through a series of providential circumstances the Lord brought us here to this school. I thought we would just be filling in for a year, but it ended up being a real blessing, and I enjoyed teaching and I really enjoyed the students, and the Lord kept us here."

Being a teacher or staff member at a boarding academy takes a lot of effort, but David views it as a blessing from the Lord: "It does take a lot of effort, but it's a lifestyle, a commitment. We've adopted that lifestyle and stuck with it, and it's been good for us. There are a lot of stresses to it, and it takes energy and time, but [the students] are fun and really enjoyable. It's not a terrible job. It's not drudgery by any means. I never ever dread going to school in the morning."

David always looks for ways to integrate whatever he comes across to enhance his classes. He likes to read and experience various things that he knows will benefit his students. One example of this is when he obtained a drinking water license and wastewater license. He says, "Those are things that I have found very useful in my environmental science class. I can tell [the students] this is what we do and this is why, and it's just good experience and knowledge to have. For me, I try to use every part of my life to somehow benefit the way I'm working in my classroom."

Teaching science at GLAA provides an opportunity for David to incorporate lessons of faith also. David says, "We don't treat [science] just as science. We look at it also as a matter of faith, because I believe science always builds our faith. I don't think we need to have [science] to have faith, but for me there's a lot of things that I see and read about and learn about that do strengthen my faith. I try to bring that across in my classroom. I talk about the marvelous things the Lord has done for us in our bodies, especially, and nature. Those are areas it's really easy to integrate faith and learning. In other areas, where you're dealing with calculations and all that kind of stuff, I guess the faith comes across more in patience and perseverance."

David's goal is to try to "generate good young people," and he says, "I think we do have good ones, and we want them to be smart besides." He challenges students to do their best, rather than focus on performing for a test. David says, "My goal is that they will learn to the best of their ability, and learn the material, so when they leave and they have some particular class on their transcript, that they have actually gone through and been exposed to and hopefully even mastered it."

Some of David's students have an easier time than others meeting class goals. He says some have a greater math aptitude or inquisitive minds that want to know how things work. He is amazed at these students and their "remarkable ability." Other students struggle more. David says, "I try to encourage them. I work with them outside of class." He sets aside a class period every other day so students can come work with him one on one. Or he'll go over to the dorm or meet with them at rec to try to accommodate their learning needs the best he can. David says, "It is my goal to give everyone the best opportunity they want to take advantage of."

This has been a remarkable school year spiritually at GLAA, David acknowledges. He sees the Lord bless the efforts of the students involved in planning spiritual activities for the student body. David talks with his students about the spiritual life on campus, and invites them to share prayer requests with one another in his classes. He says the students do share specific prayer requests on a regular basis, and "sometimes we see what appears to be fairly remarkable answers to prayer." They continue to pray for the requests throughout the school year, and when prayers are answered, David says they have a "moment of thanks."

David believes that teaching couldn't be anything but a partnership with the Lord. He says, "If I do it by myself it will fail, so you know it only succeeds if the Lord is here lifting us up and giving us strength."

Each day David prays for the Lord's leading, and he believes there are specific ways the Lord helps him. He says the Lord gives him patience, and makes him aware of students who may need a "bit of prayer." David talks to students one on one who seem to be having a difficult time. He says he can at least pray with them and just let them know somebody cares.

In reflecting on his years of teaching, David is struck by the fact that Christian education is worth it. That's why he plans to send his daughter, Jill, to GLAA next school year. David believes parents should encourage their students to choose their associations wisely, since the company they keep can directly affect their lives. He also admonishes parents to cautiously make decisions about home entertainment. And he believes putting your child in a Christian environment is a necessity, not an option. While David recognizes a child's outcome has much to do with personal choices, he strongly believes in providing them with every available advantage.

Seventeen years after arriving in Michigan, David says, "I love this conference. It's a great place. I like the people here. I didn't know what to expect when I moved to Michigan. ... I'm glad my kids have been born here and call it home. I kind of call it home, too."

While life is good in Michigan, David finds there are still challenges as a teacher at a boarding academy. He shares this counsel with other teachers: "Buy into the idea that you are serving, then serve and be happy about it. Work for the Lord."

Diane Thurber is the assistant director of communication of the Lake Union Conference.

This story is adapted from a video-taped interview by Gary Burns, communication director of the Lake Union Conference.

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