The field of Adventist education expands the world. The North American Division (NAD) is comprised of nine union conferences and the Guam Micronesia Mission. Our Southern Union Conference is one of the nine unions, and it forms the largest territory. It is divided into eight states and regional conferences across the southern states, with a total of 143 preK-12 schools, 31 early childhood centers, more than 1,400 teachers and administrators, and more than 13,000 students.
The Southern Union Office of Education, under the leadership of Murray Cooper, M.Ed., director, brings together a dedicated team committed to supporting and strengthening education throughout the Southern Union. The team includes Carla Thrower, Ph.D., associate director for secondary education; Rose Thomas, Ph.D., associate director for elementary education; Lori Thieme, M.Ed., associate director for early childhood education; Andrea Henry-Smith, M.Ed., associate director for library services; and Luberta Biggs, M.A.O.M., certification registrar. Together with administrative assistants Stephanie Cardenas, Roberto Johnson, Corey Fitzgerald, Betza Roman, Brandi Glenn, and Ailsa Serban, the Education team combines its expertise, experience, and collaborative efforts to serve educators across the Southern Union.
With such a rich diversity of people, programs, and processes in the Southern Union, it is fitting for the Office of Education to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the many ways that God continues to bless Adventist Education throughout the Union. Following are some of those blessings from a few who learn and lead across the Southern Union educational field.
Strengthening the Field: Supporting Conference Leadership
The Office of Education supports conference leadership in building capacity and strengthening efficacy as they lead in their territory. It is a privilege to walk alongside the conferences as they support and provide for the success of their schools. Rhyanne Carrington, associate superintendent for the South Atlantic Conference, expresses the relationship best:
Dear Southern Union Education Team,
I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for your generous support in covering the expenses for me to attend the ACE (Advancing Christian Education) Coaching Training. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and the confidence you have demonstrated through your investment in my continued leadership development.
Thank you for your generosity, encouragement, and partnership. I am honored to receive this support and committed to using this experience to further the mission of Adventist education and serve our schools with excellence.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Rhyanne Carrington, South Atlantic Conference Associate Superintendent
Gathering the Field: Teacher in Training Scholarship
The Office of Education has responded to the need of recruiting new teachers into the education field. For the last four years, the Teacher-in-Training Scholarship has served as an avenue to gather future teachers. Every year, this scholarship is awarded to four academy seniors from the Southern Union. A few recipients have shared their testimony:
Being a student at Southern Adventist University is truly one of the biggest blessings in my life! The Teacher in Training Scholarship has allowed me to continue pursuing my education without the weight of financial burden. It’s a reminder that the Southern Union believes in shaping teachers who will one day be that strong foundation for their own students.
Ainsly Acevedo-Rojo, History Education/Bible Minor, Southern Adventist University
The Teacher in Training scholarship was such a blessing throughout my experience at Southern Adventist University. Now that I am student teaching and at the end of my college journey, I am grateful for the scholarship. I was able to focus less on finances and more on my classes and field experiences.
Briana Fong, English Education, Southern Adventist University
Receiving the Teacher in Training Scholarship has been a huge blessing as I pursue my education degree. It has eased some of the financial stress of college and allowed me to focus on preparing to become an elementary teacher in an Adventist school.
The scholarship encourages me to pursue my goal of making a difference academically and spiritually in the lives of my future students.
Daria Terikova, Elementary Education, Southern Adventist University
It means the world to me to have the support of the Southern Union in my education. Hearing about the Teacher in Training Scholarship in High School motivated me to work toward my goal of becoming a teacher and gave me something to strive for. I am honored to have received it, and I cannot wait to see where God leads me!
Lauren Geigle, Elementary Education, Southern Adventist University
Receiving the Teacher in Training Scholarship has brought me one step closer to God’s calling on my life. Having attended a Southern Union school from kindergarten through 12th grade, this scholarship means more than financial assistance. It reminds me that the Southern Union believes in me and the impact I hope to make in the field of education. I am grateful to the Southern Union Office of Education for investing in me and helping me to continue the legacy of Christian education.
Semoi François, Elementary Education, Oakwood University
Receiving the Teacher in Training Scholarship was surreal. I never imagined I would be selected, and I am so grateful. This scholarship has shown me how deeply the Southern Union values and supports teachers, and it has strengthened my desire to pursue my passion for teaching and serving others. I am truly grateful for this scholarship and committed to using it to share God’s love through teaching.
Juliana Wolff, Secondary English Education, Southern Adventist University
Cultivating the Field: New Educator Salary Supplement Program (NESSP)
The NESSP provides additional financial support to new teachers during their first three years of employment in the Southern Union. The program helps new teachers’ salaries to be more equitable and comparable to those of existing teachers. The NESSP strengthens the Southern Union’s ability to recruit and retain quality educators while helping new teachers to build greater financial stability and supporting their professional and personal morale. Some who have benefited from NESSP describe its impact:
The most significant impact this scholarship has had on me is the knowledge of how supported I am by the Southern Union. The organization is clearly invested in their educators and education programs and will do all it can to ensure their success.
Noelle Grady, Grade 6-8 Teacher, Shoal Creek Adventist School, Georgia-Cumberland Conference
The New Educator Salary Supplement Program has been such a blessing to me. It always comes at just the right time. The award has provided much-needed financial support to me as a new teacher. It has helped bridge the gap during the last few years. I am truly grateful for NESSP and the investment it has made in my life and career.
Briana Scott, High School Math Teacher, Oakwood Adventist Academy, South Central Conference
Receiving the NESSP award was an unexpected financial blessing for my family. Beyond the financial support, it made me feel valued and encouraged as a new educator. I am truly grateful to the Southern Union for investing in teachers and reminding us that we are part of an Adventist education community that supports us as we learn, grow, and serve our students.
Elena Sandoval, Grades 6-8 Teacher: Technology and Spanish, Collegedale Academy, Georgia-Cumberland Conference
Harvesting the Field: For Salvation and Service
The earthly work of SUCOE has eternal purposes. We aim for an incorruptible harvest. Our schools evangelize for about 180 days a year, as they share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our students and train them to live out the Gospel and witness for God’s Kingdom.
The work we do is also self-generating. Many of our students return to the field of education as a direct response to the examples of service and sacrifice they experienced from their teachers and leaders. Veronyka Perez, M.A., offers a powerful testimony:
I attended Miami Springs Adventist School (MSAS) from kindergarten through fifth grade and Greater Miami Adventist Academy (GMAA) from sixth through 12th grade. I’ve had many great teachers who planted seeds in my heart and life. In high school, my teachers stood with me during great personal difficulties, prayed with me, shared God’s Word, and loved me toward success. They helped shaped the woman and educator I am today.
When I felt called to teaching, I knew I wanted to become an Adventist teacher so I could pour into students as my teachers had poured into me, both academically and spiritually. They taught me that teaching is more than a job; it is a ministry.
After earning my teaching degree, I returned to Miami Springs, where I taught for six years. In 2017, I joined GMAA, where I now serve as vice principal for elementary. At GMAA, the majority of our teaching staff are alumni of the school. Many of our former teachers are now our colleagues, and some are teaching the children of students they once taught!
It is a joy to serve in the Florida Conference and the schools that nurtured me. I don’t simply work; I serve. And when the work becomes difficult, I remind myself: “What a blessing it is to be tired from doing what God has called me to do!”
Veronyka Perez, M.A., Vice Principal, Greater Miami Adventist Academy, Florida Conference
Indeed, God has also called the Southern Union Office of Education to support the transformative work of education at all levels. After all, our mission is in the field.
Southern Union | November 2026
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