Two teachers recently received the Columbia Union Conference Office of Education Outstanding Educator Award: Carla Thrower, the principal of Potomac Conference’s Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Md.; and Vail Bigelow Mason, 1st and 2nd grade teacher at Chesapeake Conference’s Mt. Aetna Adventist School in Hagerstown, Md.
Washington Adventist University (WAU) has entered into a partnership agreement with Radians College that will help qualified graduates further their nursing education through an accelerated evening program offered by the WAU School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Walk into Shona Macomber’s classroom at Spring Valley Academy (SVA) in Kettering and one is transported into an artist’s paradise: bright open space, skylights, soft music and students intently working on projects—from pastels to pottery. Inside students are overheard saying, “This is my favorite class of the week!” while others stop to admire displays outside her classroom.
When Jacob Harris was 8 years old, his family moved from Liberia to Maryland so his father could serve as a Lutheran minister. Harris was bullied in school because he was not from the United States. He decided that he didn’t want to be different and started hanging out with gang members. That decision led him to an unhealthy lifestyle including drugs, fighting and crime.
Dale Twomley recently presided over the final Shenandoah Valley Academy graduation of his notable 55-year career. Graduate Andrew Moore introduced Twomley as commencement speaker, explaining “Dr. Twomley has been a teacher, treasurer, business manager, principal, CEO, university department chair and business school dean. …there is no place he has made more of a difference than here at Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA).”
