From April 18–20, 2023, principals of primary and secondary schools as well as other education administrators from across the Inter-European Division (EUD) gathered at Villa Aurora, in Florence, Italy, to attend the first Headteachers’ Meeting hosted by the Education Department. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the EUD school administration members with relevant information that could help them better cope with current challenges as well as create a context in which they could share their experiences and learn from each other.
After brief opening remarks from Education director Marius Munteanu, the meeting welcomed John Wesley Taylor V, associate director of the General Conference Department of Education and president-elect of Andrew’s University. Dr. Taylor presented two topics based on Ellen White’s writings on Adventist education: “Essential elements in the philosophy of Seventh-day Adventist education” and “The transformative spiritual leader.” Participants highly appreciated the practical approach to the topics in both presentations.
Under the motto “Principle predicts performance,” Munteanu delivered a presentation on how personal holiness influences leadership in a positive way.
Stephen Rivers, affiliate director of Griggs International Academy, introduced the academy’s curriculum and approach to Christian education by getting all the participants involved in activities similar to those in which students are engaged during the learning process.
The conference also welcomed Dr. Noemi Duran, director of the EUD branch of the Geoscience Research Institute, located at the Colegio Adventista de Sagunto. She spoke about scientific aspects of creation and gave plenty of food for thought to the participants regarding future projects that could help students understand creationism better.
Dr. Eliza Spatarelu, from Adventus University, joined the meeting via Zoom and shared the experience of her institution in joining Erasmus projects and benefiting from European money to fund different projects for Adventus students.
Since this was the first time the EUD headteachers, administrative staff, and education directors gathered together, the school presentations were a great opportunity for them to introduce themselves and their institutions, ask questions, learn from each other, and understand each other’s challenges.
The meeting was filled with learning, prayer, and devotional time, but apart from these, attendees also enjoyed a tour of the beautiful Villa Aurora campus and Florence, which ended with a taste of the unmatchable Italian pizza. All in all, it was an excellent opportunity for both organizers and participants to get to know each other better and see how they can further cooperate to ensure the best development of Adventist education in the EUD.
The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-European Division website.