Debbie Merritt expressed the thoughts of many when she said:
“It has been an unbelievable blessing to be here at Loma Linda University this week. The leaders of EXSEED have done an excellent job of lining up presenters and workshop leaders with outstanding qualifications to inspire and motivate us. They have also been so supportive and attentive throughout the week. We have been challenged to go home and utilize the methods and strategies to develop critical thinking and mastery learning in our students.”
Sixty-eight K-12 educators came from across North America, spending a week at Loma Linda University for an experience they would never forget. They discussed critical thinking strategies, educational techniques, and new technologies for learning. For two of those days, they were joined by additional colleagues, including local high school teachers, in 23 workshops, exploring innovative techniques for connecting young minds with the magic of science. Faculty also came from our Adventist colleges and universities, along with Loma Linda teachers and researchers.
“Thank you, thank you,” said Lucille Nelson from Kirkland, Washington. “I have been enormously blessed by the spiritual nature of this conference. The presenters are all distinguished scientists with a wealth of knowledge, but they are able to share with lay people like me in a way that is not only understandable, but thoroughly connected to the Source of all knowledge and wisdom … I will be forever grateful that I was given this opportunity, and I think I will be a better teacher because of it. I hope to inspire my students with a passion for learning and a passion for God.”
“The EXSEED conference has been a huge boost to my creative juices, and when I return to Virginia I am looking forward to implementing a number of ideas that I have learned this week into next year’s lesson plans,” said Gordon Miller.
This was our third summer for EXSEED—EXcellence in Science Experiential EDucation. Begun out of concern for science teachers in local church academies, it has grown this year to include teachers from across the country, including our local San Bernardino high school teachers. This has become another step in our growing collaboration with the San Bernardino City Unified School District.
Brian Willemse, the health academy coordinator at Indian Springs High School in San Bernardino said, “Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your conference. The teachers from our district were amazed at all of the tools and strategies that they got from their experiences. I found it invaluable myself, and will be taking some great strategies back to my students. I cannot underscore enough how excited I am to be partnering with your institution. I had an opportunity to speak with Dr. J.C. Belliard and Dr. Willie Davis today, and it seems that everyone is willing and excited to help our students succeed. I cannot wait to launch this program with you guys!”
So what is an academic health sciences university, focused on advanced research with master’s and doctoral students, doing with elementary, middle and high school teachers? Why do we invest time and energy in this endeavor we call EXSEED? From the many favorable comments by the participants, it seems clear that Loma Linda has struck a chord that resonates with many. Being invited as a teacher from a small rural or inner city school to join Loma Linda University professors in exploring teaching strategies for their students is considered an opportunity beyond compare. The social capital gained by sharing experiences like this with others is both stimulating and enduring.
There are two arguments that can be made why Loma Linda should do this. First, we are reinforcing a system of education that has served both the private and public sectors well, but is struggling to reinvent itself. We need that system to remain strong. The second argument is more self-serving. It has now been reported that if a student is not strong in the sciences by the sixth grade, he or she will not be able to compete for advanced health professional degrees. So we are strengthening our pipeline—an educational strategy for developing both minds and characters that are essential for producing quality health professionals. These are the young people our recruitment teams are looking for across the country.
Some kudos are appropriate in an endeavor like this that requires effort above and beyond. Ron Carter, our provost, and Marilyn Eggers, our director of educational effectiveness, have made this a personal mission. Their educational backgrounds and passion for students were clearly evident. Melanie Stevens provided essential support for the entire conference. We are also delighted to add Doug Havens to this group. His long background in education, and particular passion for science teaching, will keep the ideas and energy from EXSEED flowing throughout the year via a resource-rich website and direct communication.
There have been several major donors who have made EXSEED possible. We are indebted to each of them. In particular, I want to thank a couple who have focused on Christian education for years. Tom and Vi Zapara have provided both emotional and financial stimulation to call out the best in each of us concerned about our kids and the schools that educate them. The Zaparas have taken the wealth from two companies they started and used it to enable change. For years, the Zapara Teaching Awards have set standards for our educators. More recently, major gifts to both Loma Linda and La Sierra University have made a permanent impact on those institutions. Tom has now turned 90, with Vi not far behind, yet they remain active in supporting activities like EXSEED. Thank you, Tom and Vi, for the legacy you have given all of us to emulate.