Future Educators Receive Professional Training in the Lake Union

On September 19, a group of senior education majors from Andrews University met at the Adventist Church’s Lake Union Conference headquarters in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States, for a full day of professional development, where they practiced interview skills and met educational administrators throughout the union territory.  

The experience was a win-win for both students and leaders as it afforded administrators, both public and parochial, an opportunity to see the upcoming teacher candidates and potential teachers for their own school systems. 

What Happens 

The day began with a continental breakfast, followed by worship facilitated by the Andrews students. Seniors shared their favorite Bible quote and why it is their favorite, giving an opportunity for public speaking and insight into personality.  

After worship, several Ed Talks were presented by members of Lake Union and public-school administrators. Presentation topics were chosen to 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 separated into respective areas to have targeted presentations that meet their specific needs.   

The groups came back for lunch and more fellowship. After the noon meal, there were mock interviews in which the administrators were matched with a student. For fifteen minutes the student shared their resume, and the administrator interviewed the student. The students rotated to a new administrator every fifteen minutes. The mock interviews were followed with a panel discussion where the administrators answered relevant questions regarding what future teachers should expect in procuring a job in education. The day ended 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 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 up an individual 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,” Baughman said. 

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.” 

History of Professional Day 

Professional Day began more than 25 years ago. Then Andrews University Teaching, Learning and Curriculum 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 solely developed by the Education Department started by Richard Orrison and Bradley Sheppard.  

Currently, the School of Education collaborates with the Lake Union for this one-day event in an initiative that started with director of education Linda Fuchs and now continues with Ruth Horton.  

The original version of this story was posted by the Lake Union Herald.