Sioux Falls Adventist Elementary School faced a significant challenge at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year when it found itself without a teacher. In response, the school community, with guidance from the Dakota Conference superintendent Kelli Wasemiller and input from parents and church members, transitioned to operating as a homeschool co-op. This arrangement allowed six students to continue their education using the standard curriculum of the conference schools, with the hope of resuming regular operations by the semester’s end.

Throughout the summer, the community’s prayers and efforts focused on finding a suitable educator to lead the school forward. By fall, these efforts culminated in the school reopening as a full-fledged educational institution, beginning the academic year with 13 students, including four kindergarteners. Despite one student relocating, the school currently boasts 12 enthusiastic learners, with more families expressing interest in joining.

This year, the school has been fortunate to welcome Ercilia Linda Jacob Patel and her assistant, Linda Purdy, as the educators. Patel, originally from Mozambique, carries a legacy of spiritual leadership and dedication. With a Bachelor of Education in mathematics, her career has been marked by a commitment to faith and education, influenced by her family’s deep-rooted pastoral background. Her father, a retired Adventist pastor, and her uncle, the current president of the Mozambique Mission Union, have significantly shaped her educational and spiritual ethos.

Patel’s journey to Sioux Falls was driven by a desire to broaden her opportunities within the Adventist education system, eventually leading her to North America. Her application to the Dakota Conference was met with a swift and providential response, facilitating her move and allowing her to quickly assume the role of head teacher.

At Sioux Falls, Patel has brought a blend of rigorous academic instruction and compassionate mentorship to the classroom. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes inclusivity, curiosity and critical thinking, aiming to prepare students not just for corporate success but as future citizens of heaven. Her approach extends beyond academics, fostering a nurturing environment that encourages active parental involvement and community engagement.

Together with her husband and four children, Ercilia Patel is dedicated to serving and inspiring the Sioux Falls community, embodying a profound dedication to faith, education, and service.

Information provided by Mrs. Ercilia Patel and Pastor Darren Purdy, teacher and pastor at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.