Full Interview Archive
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Shane Anderson is the author of the recently published book, “How to Kill Adventist Education” and currently pastors Shenandoah Valley Academy Church in New Market, VA. His passion in Adventist education is evident as he urges pastors, teachers, parents, and principals to evaluate their current situations and push on to excellence. His book challenges us to think deeply about who we are as Adventists, and how we can pass that message on to our children.
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Dave Gemmell is the Associate Director of the NAD Church Resource Center (www.vervent.org) in Silver Spring, MD, and uses his experience as a pastor for over 30 years to enhance other pastors’ own experiences through resources. He has pastored in both single church/school situations and multi-constituency situations.
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Lon Gruesbeck is the Vice President for Education of the Washington Conference in Federal Way, WA. He has been in Adventist education for numerous years and is committed to providing an opportunity for students to accept Christ and develop an ongoing relationship with Him. Lon is sharp and to-the-point, with a no-nonsense style of interview
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Lisa Goolsby is a marketing professor at Southern Adventist University and has a passion for Adventist education. She has served on academy school boards, aiding in direction and marketing needs of the school, and attributes much of her success to the sacrifices of her parents sending her to Adventist schools. Professor Goolsby speaks about the underlying causes of the loss in enrollment in Adventist education, as well as how to be proactive about shifting the loss around.
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Dale Twomley, former principal of Shenendoah Valley Academy and Mount Vernon Academy talks about how he initiated a turnaround at SVA. He tells the story of how SVA went from nearly closing with 135 kids, to two years later when it thrived at 225 kids. Twomley outlines how to set forth a vision, get others on board, and initiate a school makeover.
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Cyril Connelly has been principal of La Sierra Academy for six years. He has worked hard to establish LSA as a quality school and lists the various programs and techniques for building up a surviving school into a thriving one and turn around parent and community perceptions.
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Mark Witas, principal of Cascade Christian School, has also been a pastor and has a great respect for the relationship between the local church and school. He advises both principals and pastors on how to revitalize a church/school relationship and emphasizes the importance of getting students involved in the church.
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Ruben Escalante, also a former pastor and current principal, tells the story of Orangewood Academy. He covers the much needed culture change and raising in standards and respect as well as how OA began to improve and grow in quality and reputation. Principal Escalante also emphasizes the need for a renewal in loyalty and believe in Adventist education and values.
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Gary Kruger, is the superintendent for the Kansas/Nebraska conference and has witnessed the population loss in the Midwest, resulting in the closing of Great Plains Academy. He has researched the demographics and movement of the area and shares his findings here. Kruger also ponders the question of national Adventist education enrollment loss.
