in adventist education - Alumni Awards Foundation

APRIL 2013
We are the
Alumni Awards Foundation.
We are a nonprofit organization working to improve
Adventist K-12 Schools. This is our newsletter.
A
in adventist education
We have big news to share.
On behalf of everyone at AAF, I’m pleased to
announce that we are no longer a network of
one! On July 1, two new schools will be joining
the Renaissance movement: Hinsdale Adventist
Academy near Chicago, Illinois, and Madison
Academy near Nashville, Tennessee.
As you know, the Renaissance Network has
been moving through a diligent and intentional
advancement process for many months. When
AAF launched the pilot program at Thunderbird
Adventist Academy in 2011, our goal was to
develop a completely new governance and
management concept for Adventist academies.
With many lessons learned and our vision refined,
the foundation is set to implement the program
on a much larger scale. We’ve always said this
movement is about more than just one or two
Adventist schools – and we remain steadfast in
our commitment.
This process is part of a paradigm shift that’s
emerging in Adventist education across the
country. Rather than thinking about schools in isolation, we are starting to think nationally.
In our case, it’s about how we can bring
schools together to reenergize the Adventist
education brand.
With three academies in the program, we
anticipate greater opportunity for collaboration
across the Network. Our goal is to seek out the
very best methods on the forefront of education,
and make those accessible to all our partner
schools. This kind of synergy has never been tried
in Adventist education, and it’s exciting to imagine
the full potential for creating innovation and
efficiency: from academic program development,
to talent management, to system building.
We’re deeply grateful for the teachers, parents,
conference leaders, donors, and great organizations
who are working alongside us to create this
network of Adventist K-12 schools founded on the
promise of excellence.
With the partnership of three schools, every step
we take will have triple the impact.
Melanie Litchfield, AAF Director
SNAPSHOTS
Location – Hinsdale,
Illinois (1/2 mile from
Adventist Hinsdale
Hospital).
Current enrollment – 290
Type of School –
Constituency-operated
day academy, Grades
PreK-12.
HINSDALE
adventist academy
Known for – Diverse
student body, focus on
relationships.
AAF’s favorite thing –
Enthusiasm for innovation
in Adventist education.
www.haa.org
How one tight-knit school community aspired
to a new level of excellence.
“Love, the basis of creation
and of redemption, is the basis
of true education.” That quote
not only hangs on the walls of
Hinsdale Adventist Academy, it
is alive in the teachers and staff.
When Dr. George Babcock became principal
three years ago, he shared a strategic vision to
make Hinsdale a model school founded on the
principles of community and relationships.
But with Babcock’s retirement slated for
2013, the school board had to begin looking
for a succession plan that would ensure the
continuation of strong leadership. This led
them to the Alumni Awards Foundation
(AAF). “We realized that we needed a third
party with management expertise to come in
and help,” said Dr. Meechai Tessalee, school
board chairman. “When people realized what
AAF was about and the vision was clear, it was
a sealed deal to work together.”
Enhancing board effectiveness
After conducting a needs assessment at
Hinsdale, AAF found the school needed to
streamline its governance structure in order
for the Renaissance Network to be effective.
Over the last 12 months, the school board and
conference designed a new school constitution,
which was voted by the constituency last
November. The new constitution called for a
major downsizing of its operating board from
28 members to just 13. The former board
composition was based almost entirely on
proportional representation among constituent
churches; the new board uses a hybrid model
based on both representation and member
expertise. Tessalee describes the new structure
as a “resource board,” primarily focused on
promoting the school vision and securing funds
to accomplish it.
“The most exciting thing about the
Hinsdale experience is the change in the
board structure,” said Dr. Wendel Tucker,
Renaissance School Manager to Hinsdale.
“It’s an opportunity to make the governance
between the local board and the school
administration more efficient and effective.”
Why Hinsdale?
Within walking distance of Adventist Hinsdale
Hospital, the academy is located in a part of
the Chicago metropolitan area that values
private education. These benefits provide
Hinsdale with great potential for strong
community support. “Hinsdale has already laid
a lot of groundwork for the school’s success by
establishing partnerships with the local hospital
and local businesses,” said Melanie Litchfield,
AAF Director. “There is huge potential to
engage the community in ways not typically
seen in small Adventist academies.”
Hinsdale is also the only remaining Adventist
academy in the Illinois Conference, creating
great opportunity for enrollment growth.
Creating a Model of Success
Like all academies, Hinsdale has its unique
challenges. AAF plans to help the school
establish a well-performing annual budget,
develop an education plan that includes
advanced coursework and teacher development,
and expand the facilities (currently landlocked
and at full capacity).
“I hope that this school will be developed to
the point that it can be a model of success
in an education system that has been
struggling nationally,” said Associate Principal
Robert Jackson, who will assume the position
as head principal next year. “I am really looking
forward to learning from the experiences of
others and having the resources that we need to
push our ideas forward.”
-Kayce Foote
Hinsdale will become a
Renaissance school on
7.1.2013
MADISON
academy
A small school in Tennessee takes
a big step towards progress.
Madison Academy is known
for its mission outreach, family
atmosphere, and technologyintegrated curriculum. It was
established in 1904 under the
visionary leadership of Ellen
White, giving it a rich and unique
Adventist heritage.
The academy comprises three different entities:
the educational program, a commercial linen
service, and nearly 60 units of rental properties.
Madison takes pride in creating a fun,
engaging atmosphere for all of its students.
It’s impossible to ignore the brightly painted
classrooms, each a different color handpicked by the students themselves. The art
classes display their talents through impressive
paintings on the ceiling tiles throughout
the hallways.
Madison was also the first Adventist
academy to start a one-to-one laptop
program for its students, which has recently
evolved into a one-to-one iPad program.
Students are tested for their individual learning
styles and teachers customize each student’s
learning experience using the iPads.
“There is already a good program in place at
Madison, and we are going to build upon it
and make it stronger,” said Dr. Greg Gerard,
Renaissance School Manager to Madison. “We
decided to partner with Madison because there
was such positive support from the parents
and local conference. We believe both the
conference and community understand our
vision and purpose, and that is the basis of a
successful partnership.”
Empowering Leadership
This collaboration also brings new
administration with the recruitment of Kris
Fuentes as principal. A graduate of Madison
herself, Fuentes will be returning ‘home’, after
seven years as English teacher and 12 years as
principal of Escondido Adventist Academy
in California.
“I am honored to serve at the school where
I met Jesus and committed my life to the
teaching ministry,” said Fuentes, who is also
enthusiastic about Madison becoming a
Renaissance school. “I am encouraged that
the AAF team is motivated by their love for
Adventist education and the desire to see
it thrive.”
AAF believes Fuentes will be the key player in
leading Madison through the next few years of
growth. “The Renaissance Network operates on
a strong principal model,” said Gerard. “While
we do bring in mentorship, accountability
and support, Madison will need solid local
leadership to drive the plan. I’m excited about
the prospect of working with Kris, and I think
she has the qualities to take the school to a
whole new level.”
Focus for the Future
Strengthening Madison’s existing program is
AAF’s main goal. The first things AAF will
focus on at Madison include: defining a viable
business plan for the linen service, developing
an aggressive marketing and recruiting strategy,
and establishing new sources of funding.
When asked about what changes she would
like to see happen at Madison, Fuentes
mentioned increasing campus security
and improving the science lab. “Change is
inevitable and necessary,” said Fuentes. “I
believe in continuous school improvement,
in relationships that make that happen more
effectively, and most of all in our children.”
-Kayce Foote
frequently
asked
questions
Who is AAF?
AAF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
that seeks to engage the Adventist
community in bringing greater excellence
to the Adventist K-12 school system. AAF
works in collaboration with academies and
conferences, and is fully supported by donors
and volunteers.
What is your mission?
Our mission is to awaken the Adventist
community to the full potential in Adventist
education. We believe every Adventist school
in North America has the opportunity
and responsibility to be among the best
in its community. Our program seeks to
set a standard that is not concentrated on
“survival,” but on true excellence.
contact us!
423.308.1855
info@alumniawards.org
and find us online here:
AlumniAwards.org
Alumni Awards Foundation
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CHATTANOOGA, TN
PERMIT NO. 371
(Alumni Achievement Awards Inc.)
7201 Shallowford Road, Suite 200
Chattanooga, TN 37421
What is the Renaissance Network?
The Renaissance Network is an program
created by AAF that provides management
and centralized support to Adventist
K-12 schools. Schools are provided with
leadership training, business expertise and
academic development through a long-term
partnership. At AAF, our goal is to make
the Renaissance Network one of the most
influential and respected school networks in
North America – made up of schools that
are raising the bar in their communities and
Adventist education.
What will you do with your
Board of Directors
Tax Refund?
According to USA Today, three of four
taxpayers are getting a tax refund this year. The
average amount? $2,379. The real question
is: How are you planning to invest those
additional dollars? Before committing your
refund to something else, consider this:
Every day hundreds of teenagers go to
school and receive a standard education.
At the Alumni Awards Foundation (AAF), we
are striving to make Adventist schools better
than ever before. Our board of directors
and staff are committed to empowering
Adventist academies to be places of
opportunity – places where spiritual
nourishment, academic rigor, meaningful
relationships, and hard work collide to
create an experience for students that
cannot be matched anywhere else.
After working with Thunderbird Adventist
Academy for almost two years, we can see
a substantial difference in the students,
teachers and community. Some improvements
are obvious: facility enhancements, the
expanded curriculum, improved technology,
and new music courses. But there is also an
unseen change that is happening on campus.
Students are becoming more focused,
mature, creative and critical thinkers. There
is a renewed sense of pride, professional
accountability and enthusiasm.
AAF is hoping to have this same effect at
Madison Academy and Hinsdale Adventist
Academy. But this mission is only possible
with the support of people like you. We
encourage you to make the most of your
tax refund by donating it to the AAF. Your
donation will help grow the Renaissance
Network and effectually develop Adventist
education for future generations.
To make a tax-deductible
contribution, please fill out the
inserted envelope or go online to:
alumniawards.org/join-us
Dr. Robert Summerour, Chairman
Dave Briscoe
Dr. Barbara Chipeur
Atty. Gerald Chipeur
Dr. Joan Coggin
Byron DeFoor
CH De Haan
Dr. George Harding
Dr. Carla Lidner-Baum
John O’Brien Jr.
Ambassador Kathy Proffitt
Arpad Soo
Adela Soo
Max Treviño
Tom Werner
Gary Wilt
Staff and Advisors
Melanie Litchfield – Director
Dr. Wendel Tucker –
Network School Manager
Dr. Greg Gerard –
Network School Manager
Kayce Foote –
Communications & Donor
Relations Coordinator
Nichole DeFoor –
Administrative Assistant