Why
Adventist educators strive to broaden the scope and raise the aim of education by ensuring that students encounter Jesus and experience excellence. A learning journey in the company of Christ is focused on whole student learning—spiritual, mental, physical, and social. A learning journey in the company of Christ restores God’s image in mankind. A learning journey in the company of Christ is a call to “something better” (Education 296).
Like Journey to Excellence, J2E2 seeks to realize the redemptive aim of Adventist education, to instill hope and wholeness in the student’s life and learning. J2E2 is also about change—innovative change created in a sacred space with eternal results. It is about a culture of continuous improvement in Adventist schools that bring students to faith in God, excellence in thought and expression, and commitment to Christian service.
Like Journey to Excellence, Journey to Excellence 2.0 seeks to realize the redemptive aim of Adventist education, to instill hope and wholeness in the student’s life and learning.
It is also about change—innovative change created in a sacred space with eternal results. It is about a culture of continuous improvement in Adventist schools that brings students to faith in God, excellence in thought and expression, and commitment to Christian service.
With affirmation of what is central to the ministry of education, Journey to Excellence 2.0 seeks to create a common language and understanding of the sacred calling to “something better.” It is a call for all Adventist educators to engage in strategic planning and decision-making so that continuous improvement is an integral part of Adventist education and a reality for each learner.
The Philosophy of Adventist Education
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes God as the ultimate source of existence, truth, and power. In the beginning, God created in His image a perfect humanity, a perfection later marred by sin. Jesus came to earth to redeem fallen humanity and begin the work of restoring humans to God’s image. Adventist education seeks, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to restore human beings into the image of God as revealed by the life of Jesus Christ.
The distinctive characteristics of the Adventist worldview, built around creation, the fall, redemption, and re-creation, are derived from the Bible and the inspired writings of Ellen G. White, and point to the redemptive aim of true education: to restore human beings into the image of their Maker. Adventist education seeks to develop a life of faith in God and respect for the dignity of all human beings; to build character akin to that of the Creator; to nurture thinkers rather than mere reflectors of others’ thoughts; to promote loving service rather than selfish ambition; to ensure maximum development of each individual’s potential; and to embrace all that is true, good, and beautiful.
An education of this kind imparts far more than academic knowledge. It fosters a balanced development of the whole person—spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social-emotional—a process that spans a lifetime. Working together, homes, schools, and churches cooperate with divine agencies in preparing learners for responsible citizenship in this world and in the world to come.
The WHY of Adventist education is embodied in learning goals that lead students to become:
- 1.
- Followers of Jesus and sharers of His love, grace, and the hope of His second coming
- 2.
- Reflective thinkers and creative problem-solvers
- 3.
- Effective communicators
- 4.
- Caring and compassionate people
- 5.
- Responsible and contributing citizens
- 6.
- Healthy and resilient individuals
- 7.
- Self-directed and lifelong learners
Clear purpose
Adventist Education exists to lead students to encounter Jesus, accept His gift of salvation, and follow Him. Central to this ministry is a shared understanding of the biblical worldview that embraces God’s plan for humankind—creation, the fall, redemption, and re-creation.
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