Capping a 30-year career in the Southeastern California Conference as a teacher, principal and associate in the office of education, Don Dudley has accepted an invitation to become superintendent of education.

It is no small task. SECC has one of the largest school systems in the North American Division, enrolling more than 4,800 students (K-12). Of the 24 schools, eight are full-fledged academies. The superintendent is also a member of the conference executive committee.

“He is a very effective leader and has outstanding interpersonal relationships with his students and colleagues,” said Charles McKinstry, former superintendent and new director of the property and trust services department.

Dudley also has a rare gift as a disciplinarian. He related well to students who were in trouble. “Those are often some of the most teachable moments,” he said.

Diplomat, Peacemaker

“Early in the search process for a new superintendent, we e-mailed principals throughout our conference for input,” said Dustin Saxton, principal of Redlands Adventist Academy, and a member of the search committee. “Don’s name kept coming to the top.”

Kris Fuentes, principal of Escondido Adventist Academy, added, “He sees the big picture. He’s very fair and willing to listen. And the heart and mind of a child are his first concern, both spiritually and intellectually.”

Dudley’s colleagues also regard him as a peacemaker and diplomat. Some of these skills reflect his parents’ personal example. His father graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Drake University in the late nineteen-thirties. Because most professional positions were not open to African American men at that time, he ended up working at the U.S. Post Office and ran a janitorial business. “He never expressed bitterness or had a chip on his shoulder,” Dudley recalls.

Dudley attended public schools in Los Angeles and Pasadena, and then graduated from Pacific Union College with a major in biology and a minor in religion. In 1974, San Diego Academy hired him as a junior high Bible teacher. Later he served as elementary principal and K-12 principal there.

He completed a master’s degree in academic leadership from Loma Linda University (La Sierra campus) in 1990. The next year he was invited to become principal of Mesa Grande Academy. He joined the SECC office of education in 1996 as an associate superintendent with a special focus on secondary curriculum. His wife, Christine, teaches English at Redlands Academy.

“Becoming an associate superintendent at the conference office was a bit traumatic for me,” he recalled. “I’d look across the street at La Sierra Academy and drool, missing what I had left behind—relationships with teachers, students, and parents. Fortunately, the secondary principals welcomed me to their campuses. I sat on their school boards and made many new friends.” He also chaired the SECC secondary curriculum committee and the Pacific Union curriculum committee.

Viewing the challenges ahead he says, “I see education and redemption as one. We do more than prepare children for this world, important as that is. We personally introduce them to Jesus. I pray daily for wisdom of God to make good decisions. We have a good team of principals and I have excellent associates. With the blessing of the Holy Spirit, I believe we can get the job done.”