Education across the Mid-America Union Conference has experienced a season of meaningful transition, growth and renewed clarity of purpose. Our schools have adapted to shifting enrollment patterns, along with closures and reopenings of schools.
Through each challenge and transition, school communities have remained steadfast in their mission, continuing to provide quality Christ-centered education with consistency, care and a deep commitment to student growth.
This season has also been defined by significant leadership transitions that have shaped the direction and continuity of our work. Gerry Ban’s retirement marked the conclusion of seven years of dedicated service as associate director, where his steady leadership, thoughtful counsel, and commitment to supporting schools left a lasting impact across the union. Later in 2025, we were saddened by Gerry’s passing, and we remember with gratitude the lasting influence of his leadership and the relationships he built across our school communities. We also pause to honor the life and legacy of LouAnn Howard, whose passing in September 2025 marked the close of more than four decades of faithful service to Adventist education. Her influence as a teacher, superintendent, mentor, associate director, and director continues to be reflected in the strength of our schools, the development of leaders, and the intentional care for educators across the Mid-America Union.
In this time of transition, new leadership has emerged to continue and expand this work. I joined the Office of Education as associate director and now serve as director, bringing a focus on leadership development, standards-based learning, and system alignment. Melissa Morris also recently joined the team as associate director, bringing experience as a conference superintendent and executive secretary. Her skill and talents will strengthen our capacity to support our schools, educators and initiatives. Together with our support staff, the Office of Education remains committed to serving leaders and educators through intentional support, clear communication, and aligned systems that build capacity, strengthen instruction, and foster a collaborative culture across the Mid-America Union.
SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
A continued emphasis on professional excellence remains central to our work. Educators and leaders have engaged in a wide range of professional learning opportunities, including sponsored participation in the North American Division’s Something Better educators convention in Phoenix, Arizona, which provided large-scale, mission-driven professional development centered on faith integration, instructional best practices, and innovation in Adventist education. In addition, leaders were sponsored to participate in the ASDASA convention in Houston, Texas, a mid-cycle gathering of more than 400 educational leaders across the NAD focused on spiritual renewal, leadership development, and collaborative growth.
The conference emphasized that effective leadership is cultivated through continuous learning and intentional collaboration across roles and regions.
Union-wide efforts have also included targeted curriculum training and ongoing professional development in standards-based learning, equipping educators with practical strategies to align instruction, assessment and feedback with clearly defined proficiency scales. This work has been strengthened through workshops, coaching and collaborative planning structures designed to build consistency across classrooms. Small school leadership cohorts—designed specifically for teaching principals—have provided structured opportunities for collaboration, professional reading, and leadership growth. Together these efforts reflect a deep commitment to equipping educators with both the mindset and the tools necessary to strengthen instruction, improve student learning outcomes, and build coherent, aligned systems across the Mid-America Union.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Collaboration with Union Adventist University has continued to strengthen opportunities for both students and educators. Through leadership development, along with shared experiences such as athletic tournaments and music festivals, academy students are provided with meaningful opportunities to connect and engage beyond their local schools. At the same time, intentional collaboration between secondary teachers and university professors has created valuable connections that support alignment and instructional growth. This partnership also extends to the UAU education department, where a continued focus on teacher preparation is helping to build a strong pipeline of future educators who are equipped to serve in Mid-America schools.
Denominational certification remains a priority area of focus. Current data reflects a diverse certification landscape, with 29% of educators holding Professional certification, 31% Standard, 4% Basic, 13% Conditional. Additionally, educator qualifications continue to demonstrate strength, with 35% holding master’s degrees, 40% bachelor’s degrees, and a growing number pursuing advanced degrees. These data points highlight both the progress made and the ongoing opportunity to strengthen certification pathways across the union.
The introduction of the Johns Hopkins School Climate Survey has provided an important system-wide lens into the experiences of students, families and staff.
Participation has steadily increased, alongside meaningful engagement from parents, teachers and administrators.
Schools have been encouraged by the positive results, particularly in areas such as safety, teacher-student relationships, high expectations, and clear communication. These insights have not only affirmed the strengths within our school communities but have also provided actionable data to guide improvement efforts.
Schools are increasingly engaging in intentional planning processes, developing Continuous Improvement Plans that are more data-informed and aligned with long-term strategic goals.
ADVANCING THE MISSION
Looking ahead, the Mid-America Union Office of Education is moving forward with a renewed mission: to foster a deep connection with God in educators and students, encouraging a lifelong dedication to learning and a continual pursuit of growth and excellence.
Identifying clear priorities that directly align with and advance our mission—Anchor, Build and Cultivate—provide a focused framework for the future.
Anchor calls us to strengthen Christ-centered leadership, deepen relationships, and respond intentionally to the social-emotional and spiritual needs of students. Build emphasizes the development of coherent systems, professional excellence, and aligned instructional practices across the union. Cultivate looks outward, encouraging growth through community engagement, innovative school models, and expanded opportunities for students and families.
Together these priorities position Mid-America Union schools to continue growing in faith, purpose and impact. As we move forward, we do so with gratitude for the foundation laid, confidence in the leadership present, and a shared commitment to living out our mission in every school and every community we serve.
Carisa Carr is director of education for the Mid-America Union.
