Five Iowa-Missouri Conference elementary teachers received the Commissioned Ministry of Teaching Credential during 2018.
These recipients were Judi Thompson, principal and grades K-8 teacher at Prescott Elementary School in St. Joseph, Missouri; Jennifer Ewers, principal and grades K-8 teacher at Nevada Adventist School in Nevada, Iowa; Ethan Lichtenwalter, grades 7-10 teacher at Springfield Junior Academy in Springfield, Missouri; Mary McDowell, principal and grades 3-6 teacher at Springfield Junior Academy; and Melissa Morris, principal and grades 7-9 teacher at Hillcrest School in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Commissioned Ministry of Teaching Credential is the highest recognition given to a church school teacher by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is awarded to teachers with at least six years of experience in and commitment to the Adventist education system, with demonstrated proficiency in assigned responsibilities. Such teachers must exhibit a keen sense of Christian responsibility for nurturing and leading souls to Christ, for consistently upholding Christ as the focal point of all curriculum and instruction, and for demonstrating positive interpersonal relationships, thus providing an environment of social, spiritual and emotional stability.
The ministry of teaching in the church is a gift, as Paul points out in 1 Cor. 12 and Eph. 4. In the body of Christ this gift is shared among many whom God appoints to instruct us in faith, knowledge and holiness. Those who teach are also called to be learners who—having received light, knowledge and discernment from God— share their inspiration and understanding with students.
Read more about each of the recipients at imsda.org/cmtc.
To contact one of Iowa-Missouri’s schools visitimsda.org/schools.
Joe Allison is education superintendent for the Iowa-Missouri Conference.
Photos: Courtesy of Joe Allison
