During her career in Adventist education as a classroom teacher as well as a leader, Carol has been a relentless proponent of excellence in teaching and learning within the context of the Adventist worldview. Since we are preparing our learners to be good citizens in this world and for eternity, she believes that parents, pastors, and educators should be focused on providing them the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve this purpose. The world is a very different place today than even a decade ago; career and college expectations, in particular, have significantly changed. In response to the changing context of our times, the Southwestern Union Office of Education has embarked on a Journey to Excellence that embraces the concept of Continuous School Improvement. Some of the components of this program include: a mission- and vision-focus, standards-based practices, sustainable leadership, collaboration, and professional learning. Carol is excited about the potential of these changes to promote a meaningfulness and relevancy to Adventist education in the Southwestern Union.
Mike attended Adventist schools from grade 1 through 16. He received his undergraduate degree from Southwestern Adventist University and his graduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has been an educator at Adventist schools and conferences in Texas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Washington, Arkansas and Louisiana. He has been a teacher, principal, conference superintendent and currently is the Director of Secondary Education for the Southwestern Union Conference. Mike is married to Peggy, the registrar at Chisholm Trail Academy, and they have one daughter, Michelle, who is a physical therapist. Mike’s hobby is birding, and he also enjoys camping, travelling, going on mission trips and learning more about Jesus. Mike firmly believes in the following quote taken from Steps to Christ page 90: “There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the scriptures.” He feels that if students would spend more time reading and studying their Bibles that they would have a stronger intellect in all subject areas. It would broaden their minds, elevate their thoughts, and strengthen their characters. Students could become the Daniels, Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abednegos of today. He believes that teachers should encourage students to prayerfully study their Bibles and set a positive example by doing so themselves. If we would do this we would truly be “educating for eternity” and educating for “Heaven not Harvard.”
Renee Whiting serves as an educational coach for Southwestern Union teachers. She coordinates professional learning communities to promote continuous school improvement and standards-based learning. Renee has worked in education for more than 20 years and has taught kindergarten through twelfth grades. She has served as a principal, school counselor and conference associate superintendent. She holds a master’s degree in school counseling. She is a product of Adventist education and attended Oakwood University and Southern Adventist University. Her father was a pastor and her mother is a retired Adventist educator. Whiting is the mother of three daughters and has three grandchildren.
Arkansas-Louisiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Texico Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
