Walla Walla University believes Adventist education is more important than ever. To encourage more students to consider teaching as a career, two years ago WWU partnered with NPUC to offer the NextGen Teacher scholarship. WWU is also offering innovative new programs and collaborative services to support even more Adventist teachers as they inspire academic excellence and faith in God. One of those programs helps teachers earn their Adventist Educators' Certification without summer classes.
To maintain a consistent educational standard, develop professionalism, and ensure a faith-based learning environment, Adventist Educators’ Certification is required for teachers in Adventist schools. Generally, this meant teachers spent summers in classes.
Now, WWU’s new job-embedded Adventist certification courses allow teachers to gain essential skills through online, self-paced courses that incorporate real classroom activities into the teaching and learning process.
“One of the biggest challenges for Adventist teachers who want to engage in professional development is their busy teaching schedule,” said Maria Bastien Valenca, WWU School of Education and Psychology dean. “Because they can do these courses during their school year, teachers can field test what they learn right away in their own classrooms and receive feedback and support from faculty in real time.”
"Taking courses during the school year instead of waiting for summers will allow teachers to work towards their Adventist certification goals faster and it improves work-life balance," she added.
Current teachers with classroom access and who are under contract with their Seventh-day Adventist conference may enroll in these courses, even if they do not teach in the NPUC region. For more information about the courses or how to enroll, visit thy111.net/nadcert or email edpsyc@thy111.net.
Posted Sept. 18, 2024.
