A Surprising Award! Teacher of the Year

In recent years it has been the desire of leadership to begin a teacher and principal of the year awards. Finally, such was made possible just a few months ago when a financial gift was set aside to honor a teacher for outstanding contributions to Christian education. (The Principal award is slated to begin at the conclusion of this academic year.)

But who would be the recipient of this first year award?

Who would we find?

Those were the questions.

We realized many, many teachers deserved such an award but who was to be our very first recipient? We heard some names mentioned but one seemed to have a loud chorus of approval. We did some personal and individual research and made a decision based upon the recommendations from local administrators, board and parents.

Thus, in early June we made our way to Concord, New Hampshire to the closing school program of the Capital Christian School. Capital Christian is a small two-teacher school with approximately 15 students. Their program that night was a delight to witness. The students were excited and did an inspiring job in each and every segment of the evening. Their musical talent was a joy to the attendees.

During a brief intermission an unexpected moment took place. Much to her surprise teacher Hillary Sumner was called to the platform and heard it announced that she had been selected as Teacher of the Year by the Ken and Mabel Foundation. She was then presented with a check of $2,500.

Hillary is representative of the many, many dedicated teachers in the Seventh-day Adventist school system. Next year another will be selected and a worthy principal as well. We are all indebted to those who are intimately connected and laboring in such an integral ministry of education.