Faithful Educator Celebrates 27 Years of Service

Story by Ashley Boggess

In 1998, Elayna Barnhill Moffitt first walked through the doors of Lake Nelson Adventist Academy (LNAA) as a substitute teacher, accompanied by her young children. At the time, she had stepped away from teaching in the public school system to raise her family. What began as a temporary role soon became the beginning of a 27-year journey of service, ministry, leadership and a deep commitment to Seventh-day Adventist education.

In 1999, Moffitt officially joined the Lake Nelson faculty. She began teaching third and fourth grade, and it was during those years that one of her most enduring contributions took root: the Outdoor Education program. Through her vision and leadership, the program grew beyond Lake Nelson and eventually expanded to include other schools throughout the New Jersey Conference (NJC).

Over the years, Moffitt served students at multiple grade levels, teaching seventh and eighth grade, and later, only eighth. Her passion for English and literacy became a defining part of her teaching ministry. She found great joy in helping students discover their own abilities and consistently extended herself to support those who needed additional encouragement, guidance and care.

Known for her sensitivity, thoughtfulness, compassion and loyalty, Moffitt has had a unique ability to see needs others may overlook. Her caring spirit has helped students feel valued and understood, while her faithful commitment has been a lasting gift to Lake Nelson and to Adventist education.

In 2007, Moffitt also began serving as the kindergarten through eighth-grade vice principal, alongside Elisa Maragoto, LNAA principal. This began a 19-year administrative partnership rooted in trust, transparency, prayer and dependence on God. Together, they navigated seasons of growth and scarcity, joy and loss, challenge and celebration.

As Moffitt retires after 27 years of faithful service, it is impossible to fully summarize the countless lessons taught, students encouraged, prayers offered, programs created, sacrifices made and lives impacted.

What can be said with certainty is that LNAA has been deeply blessed because Moffitt chose to plant her roots there.

Her legacy will remain in the students she taught, the colleagues she supported, the programs she built and the Outdoor Education vision that continues to grow throughout the NJC. Although she is retiring, she is not uprooted. Her roots run deep, and her legacy will continue to grow at LNAA