The Pacific Union held a literacy workshop this fall in Honolulu, Hawaii, for all of the Hawaii Conference teachers, during their three days of in-service training to prepare for the 2007–2008 school year.

Teryl Loeffler, Hawaii Conference superintendent, and Martha Havens, associate director of elementary education for the Pacific Union, planned the event, and Hawaiian Mission Academy, under the direction of principal Manuel Rodriguez, hosted all of the teachers and presenters.

The new literacy reading program began this fall in most of the first and second grade classrooms. This program, called Pathways, replaces the old Life Reading series basal program. It integrates reading, phonics, writing, handwriting, word study, grammar and vocabulary. As a complete literacy program, Pathways exposes the students to a rich literary environment. It nurtures the students' interest in reading, their ability to read critically and their respect for diversity. This is accomplished by teachers using a variety of instructional materials and approaches to model and demonstrate reading experiences and strategies. It invites the students to think independently as they are exposed to different genre in the literature and the nine themes chosen for the year. Many of these thinking skills are triggered by the lessons, which have spiritual principles and Seventh-day Adventist beliefs embedded within the program. Additionally, it encourages the parents to become involved and to extend the students' learning beyond the classroom. You can learn more about Pathways at pathways.nadeducation.org.

This in-service session helped to prepare the teachers for the above tasks with presenters who were not only knowledgeable, but are currently using the various program components. Valerie Minder, second grade teacher at Miramonte Adventist Elementary School, presented a reading workshop. Connie Torkelson, first and second grades teacher at Eagle Valley Christian School, presented a writing workshop. Jean Buller, professor of education at Pacific Union College, discussed assessment and other topics. And Susan Hancock, from The Concerned Group, presented a lesson on guided reading.

During these three days of in-service training, the teachers were inspired by devotionals provided by Debra Fryson, associate director of education for the North American Division, and Ralph S. Watts III, president of the Hawaii Conference.

In addition, Michael Ratcliffe, the title character from the book, Michael Never Gives Up, published by The Concerned Group and written by Marcy Munsterteiger, seventh and eighth grades teacher at San Diego Academy, spoke to the teachers. Michael, a victim of cerebral palsy, told everyone to "never give up!" His determination to walk, drive his own van, swim, sky dive, and more, inspired everyone.

While in Hawaii for the teacher in-service, Michael, who loves kids, was invited to speak to the students at Hawaiian Mission Elementary and Intermediate School. A reporter for Hawaii's KGMB Channel 9 News interviewed Michael and his mother about his determination and love for life. If interested, you can view this interview at: http://kgmb.starrtechsites.com/kgmb/print.cfm?sid=1183&storyID=12275

In the words of one teacher, "It was an in-service that inspired us to try something new and not give up, as we do the best we can for our kids through this or any other program that demands excellence in Christian education!"