The Southern Union Office of Education team, led by Murray Cooper, M.Ed., director, has worked diligently throughout this quinquennium to support and enhance the educational programs in our territory. With enthusiasm, each department is opening its doors to provide an overview of our efforts for the children we serve and the educators who guide them. This article presents a collection of snapshots for our valued Southern Union members, highlighting our collective commitment to excellence in education.
Administration – Murray Cooper, M.Ed.
The Southern Union Conference is the largest of the nine union conferences within the North American Division (NAD). This status presents both opportunities and responsibilities, as we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of education in every program. Currently, 176 educational programs serve more than 13,000 students from birth through 12th grade, and are supported by more than 1,400 educators. Through a variety of initiatives, the Southern Union Office of Education shares resources to strengthen the spiritual and academic development of our schools.
Educational Support: New Educator Salary Supplement Program (NESSP)
In response to the current teacher shortages across the NAD, the SUC Executive Committee approved the New Educator Salary Supplement Program to support new teachers during their first three years of employment in our territory. In the 2025-2026 school year, the Southern Union designated $180,372 to fund this program. The NESSP provides additional financial assistance to help new teachers establish successful and sustainable careers in education. Fifty-seven early-career educators participated in this program in 2025-2026. This initiative continues to strengthen our recruitment efforts, and provides a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talented teachers to the Southern Union territory. The chart above indicates the number of NESSP recipients per conference.
Teacher-in-Training Scholarship
The Teacher-in-Training Scholarship is a growing initiative aimed at strengthening the future of Adventist education. Each year, four academy seniors from among the 13 Southern Union Conference academies are awarded this scholarship.
Recipients are encouraged to enroll in a teacher preparation program at either Oakwood University or Southern Adventist University, equipping them to become the next generation of educators. Now in its fourth year, the program is beginning to show results, as its first group of participants has graduated and entered the teaching field.
Association of Seventh-day Adventist School Administrators (ASDASA)
In February 2026, the Southern Union Conference demonstrated its commitment to ongoing professional development by covering registration costs for school and conference education leaders to attend the ASDASA convention in the greater Houston, Texas, area. The event brought together more than 400 education administrators from across the North American Division.
The convention’s theme, “Learning Leaders,” featured nationally recognized speakers, and provided timely and valuable insights to benefit school leaders. Approximately 60 educators from the Southern Union participated, engaging in presentations, and networking with colleagues from across the Division. Many Southern Union educators also contributed by sharing their expertise through presentations and collaborative discussions.
Spiritual Support School Chaplain Retreat
The School Chaplain Retreat is a meaningful program established in partnership with the Southern Union Conference Youth Ministries Department. It was launched in the spring of 2023. Guided by our mission to help every student build a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the retreat is designed to nurture community, provide opportunities for professional development, and encourage spiritual growth among chaplains serving in academies and larger elementary schools. Planning is already in progress for the next retreat scheduled for November 2026.
Secondary Education – Carla Thrower, M.A., M.S.
At the Southern Union Conference Office of Education, one of our greatest joys is supporting the incredible educators and leaders who serve our students every day. While much of our work happens behind the scenes, our goal is simple: to help our schools thrive as they provide Christ-centered, high-quality education across our territory.
Accreditation: Growing Together
One important way that we help is through accreditation. More than a process, accreditation is an opportunity for schools to reflect, celebrate accomplishments, and identify areas for continued growth. Through collaboration with teachers, administrators, boards, parents, and students, schools engage in meaningful conversations that strengthen their programs and keep them focused on their mission.
Building Strong Leadership
We recognize that strong schools are led by strong leaders. Through our Principal Cohort, secondary principals gather throughout the year to learn, share ideas, seek solutions, and encourage one another. These connections help foster a supportive network of leaders who understand both the challenges and blessings of Adventist education.
Professional Learning Community: #2GetherWeTeach!
Another exciting initiative is #2GetherWeTeach!, our professional learning community that unites educators across conferences and schools. This collaborative space allows teachers and administrators to exchange ideas, discuss effective instructional practices, and learn from one another. Some of the best professional growth happens when educators come together with a shared purpose, and #2GetherWeTeach provides that opportunity.
Whether through accreditation, leadership development, or professional learning, our goal remains the same: supporting schools as they nurture students academically, spiritually, and socially. We are grateful for the dedicated teachers, principals, and school communities throughout the Southern Union who faithfully answer the call to ministry through education. Together, we are growing stronger and making an eternal difference in the lives of our students.
Elementary Education – Rose Thomas, Ph.D.
The NAD’s learning delivery model is through standards-based education. Elementary Education supports learning across the Southern Union in order to build a highly educated and effective workforce.
Leaders are Learners: Book Study
At the Southern Union, we believe that leaders who lead with integrity must be lifelong learners who model, practice, and support others to learn. Twice a year for a total of 10-14 weeks, conference leaders across the Union, along with interested principals, meet to study and to discuss best educational practices, their benefits for our teachers and students, and their impact on our educational system for this world and the next. Leaders pray, study, and carve a safe place where they can reflect, question, and collaborate for the good of the educational process in our Union.
Toward A Standards-based Education
The Southern Union has been on a journey toward standards-based education, which would allow schools to gather around the same standards with a common language and purpose. Elementary Education supports educators’ learning through attending summits and institutes, visiting exemplary educational programs, piloting new curriculum resources, earning “High Reliability Schools” certifications, and collaborating among the conferences in training their educators.
Early Childhood Education – Lori Thieme, M.Ed.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) supports the Southern Union by planting seeds of hope and a strong foundation for the future of the organization.
Story and Vision
On a sunny morning, children kneel in the grass, observing ants carrying food many times their size. A teacher gently asks, “What do you notice?” Small voices respond with curiosity and wonder. In this moment, learning is alive — hands-on, faith-filled, and rooted in discovery. This reflects the vision guiding ECE across the Southern Union.
Building a Strong Foundation
In recent years, Early Childhood Education has grown with a clearer mission, stronger advocacy, and a deepened commitment to quality. ECE shapes a child’s spiritual, social, and academic development while welcoming families into school and church communities.
Through shared training and support, educators are equipped and inspired in new ways. Outdoor learning has become central, with teachers rediscovering nature as a classroom. As Ellen White noted, “The field or garden is the best schoolroom.” In these environments, children explore, question, and solve problems while deepening their connection to God’s creation.
Advocacy and Access
ECE has gained increased recognition across the Union through advocacy, expanded training, and inclusion within a birth-to-university system. Continued efforts focus on strengthening alignment with K-12, and ensuring equitable support for educators, including compensation and benefits.
Accreditation and Quality
The North American Division Accreditation process continues to strengthen program quality. Participating centers develop focused improvement plans while building stronger school-church partnerships. Together, these efforts support families, nurture children, and cultivate faith-filled communities grounded in trust and collaboration.
Library Services – Andrea Smith, M.Ed.
The Southern Union Library/Information Resources Program (SU-LIR) assists schools in selecting supplemental reading materials that support literacy goals.
Access to eBooks
The SU-LIR program recognizes the scarcity of space, and has helped schools to improve their classroom libraries by adding titles to our digital or eBook library system. This year, 2025-2026 saw an increase of 500 new titles through our partnership with Abdo Publishers. We are also working with Adventist eBooks to provide multi-user access for our schools.
IT Support in Small Schools
The SU-LIR program explores affordable means to access information resources. In partnership with the Southern Union Information Technology Services (SUITS) Department, we have developed a framework for providing IT support to small schools. The South Central Conference is currently piloting this service.
Internet Access Management
To help schools manage the increasing cost of internet services, the SU-LIR Department assists schools in applying for the Universal Service Program for Schools and Libraries (1996), commonly referred to as the E-Rate (education rate) program. This reduces the cost of access to high-speed internet, telecommunication services, and other digital needs for schools and libraries, and it saves schools at least 50% on their current commercial internet pricing.
Certification – Luberta Biggs, MAOM
Teacher certification is more than a credential — it is a calling that directly supports the mission of Seventh-day Adventist education. Certification ensures that every pre-K through 12th-grade educator is academically prepared, spiritually grounded, and aligned with the sacred purpose of educating our children.
A Journey Through Certification
Our office supports and encourages educators to gain clarity in the certification process, and to move confidently through each level of certification. It is a meaningful journey that strengthens their ability to serve, lead, and impact lives for Christ.
Our certification team works closely with the Union director, associate directors, and education support staff. Together, we support eight conferences, including 253 administrators and more than 1,200 educators with the accreditation process, junior academy readiness, and individualized certification. Through clear communication, improved response times, and personalized guidance, we support our educators every step of the way.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
In the 2025-2026 school year, we began processing the CEUs digitally through the Adventist Learning Community. Now, educators can submit and track their professional development hours anytime. This transition helps with faster verification, improved accuracy, and records transparency that reduce the conference administrative obligations.
Valuable Connections
Our office connects with educators through virtual and in-person meetings at conference education events. These connections promote teacher retention, build confidence, and help educators feel valued and supported in their long-term commitment to their ministry.
Southern Union | August 2026
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