“The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul.”
— Ellen G. White, Education, page 15
This guiding principle serves as a compass for the Lake Union Education Department as we seek to inspire, transform and empower those leading our 73 Lake Union PreK–12 schools and early childhood programs. Our mission — to help every student become more like Jesus through a deep and abiding connection to His love — continues to shape our work and inform our priorities. With this clarity of purpose, we intentionally pursue the vision of Adventist Education: providing Something Better.
Continuing Collaboration
We support teacher service, growth and professionalism through collaborative initiatives designed to strengthen instruction and student learning, including:
- The Andrews University and Lake Union Conference Professional Day, which prepares pre-service teachers for future employment
- Superintendent and principal meetings, along with leadership development opportunities such as the ASDASA Conference, where administrators learn from experts and one another
- Professional learning communities for academy teachers that provide hands-on, subject-specific training
- Lake Union Early Childhood (ECE) Advisories focused on the unique needs of early childhood programs, preschools, and Pre-K classrooms
- Lake Union Curriculum Advisories that guide thoughtful curriculum review and advancement
- Educational outreach at the International Camporee, including participation in a Guinness World Record event, to share the mission and impact of Adventist education
- The NAD National Teachers Convention, uniting educators to celebrate, learn and renew their commitment to serving students with excellence
Focused Support
Our department supports teachers and schools as we help all students reach their learning goals through targeted resources and intentional care, including:
- Continued curricular, relational and financial support for our partner island, Kosrae
- Grant writing that expands service-learning opportunities for students and STEM training for educators
- Funding to support student mental health initiatives across the Lake Union
- The addition of a Special Education expert and an Instructional Coach to better meet diverse student needs
- Research-based literacy training in the Science of Reading, along with aligned instructional resources
- A week-long induction experience for new multigrade teachers that builds instructional capacity, relationships and spiritual focus
- Ongoing support for the implementation of Standards-based Learning to bring clarity, intentionality and consistency to classroom instruction
Growing Empowerment
We build leadership capacity in administrators and teachers through strategic development opportunities, including:
- A Small Schools Leadership Development cohort that supports principals through coaching and shared learning
- High Reliability Schools (HRS) training to help leaders guide their schools with clarity, purpose and consistency
- A Secondary Leadership Conference that equips student leaders across the Lake Union to lead with faith and integrity
Responsive Accountability
We support Adventist education in honoring and glorifying God through meaningful accountability to our schools, our communities and Christ by:
- Providing training in Continuous School Improvement planning and implementation
- Accrediting all Lake Union early childhood centers, preschools, and PreK–12 schools
- Offering access to the 360 School Culture Survey to inform school culture, decision-making and goal setting through actionable data
- Supporting teacher certification and continuing education through scholarships and targeted funding
- Working alongside administrators and teachers to ensure data-driven learning informs instruction and supports student growth
Looking Forward with Faith
The Lake Union Education Department seeks to honor God by faithfully supporting Adventist education through collaboration, empowerment and accountability. Rooted in the purpose of restoring the image of God in every student, we invest in teachers and leaders through professional learning, leadership development, curriculum support, and research-based instruction, while also addressing the spiritual, academic and emotional needs of students. Through these collective efforts, our schools are strengthened to reflect Christ’s character more fully and to prepare young people to live lives of faith, service and purpose — always with eternity in view.
Nicole Mattson is director of Education.
Wadzanai Bepe – special education consultant/educational coach
Laura Frary – registrar
Luz Otero – administrative assistant