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Education

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Meet Our New Principals: Karen Wiechmann, El Dorado Adventist School
Meet Our New Principals: Karen Wiechmann, El Dorado Adventist School 3883 2145 Ken Miller

Karen Wiechmann: Leading with Faith, Purpose, and Meaningful Excellence

Karen Wiechmann’s connection to El Dorado Adventist School is deeply personal. She first knew EAS as a student, and after years away, God led her back to the school that helped shape her. Since returning, Karen has served in nearly every corner of school life—from teaching kindergarten, a year she remembers with great joy, to coaching, recruitment, marketing, enrollment, and development. Whether she is in a classroom, welcoming a family, solving a problem, or stepping in wherever needed, Karen leads by being present, engaged, and willing to work alongside others.

For Karen, Adventist education is ministry. She believes Jesus belongs at the center of the school experience and that every child should be known, loved, challenged, and encouraged to discover their God-given purpose. She is passionate about meaningful excellence—strong academics rooted in faith, high expectations paired with compassionate support, and a culture of shared accountability.

Karen wants students to leave EAS well educated, able to think critically, grounded in character, and confident in who God created them to be. She wants them to recognize the gifts God has placed within them, discover their purpose, take responsibility for their choices, build healthy relationships, and learn to live, lead, and love like Jesus.

Those who know Karen often notice her warmth first. She is quick to smile, quick to find humor, and quick to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Her leadership style is hands-on. She believes encouragement often means getting beside people, working with them, and helping create the confidence that together, hard things can be accomplished.

Karen believes El Dorado Adventist School is more than a place where students attend classes. It is a community where children should experience belonging, purpose, challenge, opportunity, and the love of Jesus. She wants EAS to be known for academic strength, authentic faith, meaningful relationships, character, service, and a willingness to pursue excellence in ways that truly matter.

Outside of school, Karen’s natural curiosity often takes her down the scenic route. She enjoys road trips, discovering new places, noticing God’s beauty, capturing meaningful moments with her phone, sharing experiences and laughter with friends and family, and going on adventures with Juni, her rescue dog.

Karen rests her hope in God and considers it a privilege to serve a school she has loved for much of her life. Her prayer is that El Dorado’s Eagles will grow into young people who know who they are in Christ, understand the gifts God has given them, and are prepared to use their lives with purpose, courage, faith, and a heart for service.

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Meet Our New Principals: Gladys Paloma, Galt Adventist School
Meet Our New Principals: Gladys Paloma, Galt Adventist School 3837 1966 Ken Miller

What if your child’s principal had spent 13 years as a missionary teacher on a tiny Pacific island… and later served students on the Navajo Reservation?

That’s the journey that brought Gladys to Galt Adventist School.

After earning her education degree in the Philippines, Gladys and her family answered God’s call to Palau, where they spent 13 years serving as missionary teachers. When another door opened, they moved to New Mexico to minister through La Vida Mission on the Navajo Reservation. Most recently, she taught K–2 at Bayside Adventist Christian School before accepting God’s next assignment as teaching principal at Galt Adventist School.

There’s a thread running through every chapter of her story. Whether she’s teaching on a Pacific island, in the Southwest, or here in Northern California, her passion has remained the same: helping children grow academically while discovering the love of Jesus.

One fun fact? Gladys is naturally left-handed but writes with her right hand. She also enjoys badminton and volleyball and, like so many of us, is learning pickleball. She’ll also happily admit that, even as an adult, she’d rather take the stairs than ride an elevator alone. After moving across oceans and serving wherever God has called, it turns out elevators are still just a little more intimidating than missionary service.

We’re excited to welcome Gladys and her family to Galt Adventist School and look forward to seeing how God continues to bless students through her ministry.

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Meet our Principals- Kimberly Baumbach, Paradise Elementary
Meet our Principals- Kimberly Baumbach, Paradise Elementary 3870 2012 Ken Miller

Sometimes the Best Lessons Don’t Go According to Plan

Kimberly Baumbach had everything ready.

A bottle with vinegar. A balloon filled with baking soda. A classroom of students eager to see a simple science experiment demonstrate how carbon dioxide can inflate a balloon.

She carefully stretched the balloon over the bottle and waited for the reaction.

Instead of slowly filling with air, the balloon suddenly ripped wide open.
In an instant, baking soda and vinegar sprayed across the classroom.

For one silent moment, everyone simply stared.

Then the room erupted in laughter.

“It was definitely not the science experiment I had planned,” Kimberly recalled. “But it became one of those moments none of us ever forgot.”
After cleaning up the mess, the class tried the experiment again. This time, everything worked exactly as the textbook promised. Ironically, it was the successful demonstration that students barely remembered. The unexpected one became the lesson they talked about long afterward.
For Kimberly, that’s one of the beautiful realities of education. Some of the most meaningful learning happens in the moments you could never have planned.

Now, as Teaching Principal at Paradise Adventist Elementary, Kimberly brings that same perspective into every school day.
With 26 years in education, she still lights up when students discover something new for themselves. She believes learning should spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and help children see the gifts God has placed within them. “One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching students experience the joy of learning,” she said. “Just as important is helping them discover ways to serve others, show kindness, and reflect Jesus in their everyday lives.”

That philosophy extends well beyond academics. At Paradise Adventist Elementary, Kimberly hopes every student experiences a school where faith, kindness, respect, curiosity, and a love of learning grow together. She believes each child has been uniquely created by God with purpose and incredible potential, and every day offers a new opportunity to help students discover both.

Outside the classroom, Kimberly enjoys hiking, backpacking, reading, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Chris, recently celebrated 26 years of marriage. Their two sons continue to make them proud—Jackson is entering his senior year of high school, while Nicolaus is beginning his senior year of college.

As a new school year begins, Kimberly is looking forward to partnering with students, families, faculty, and staff as they build a Christ-centered community where learning is joyful, relationships are meaningful, and every child is encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, and personally.

And if another science experiment decides to erupt unexpectedly? She’ll probably laugh right along with the students. After all, some of the best lessons have a way of surprising everyone.

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Meet our New Principals: Jennifer Cooper from Lodi Academy
Meet our New Principals: Jennifer Cooper from Lodi Academy 4000 2250 Ken Miller

Coming Home: A Familiar Face with a Heart for Students

Some places never really leave your heart.

For Lodi Academy’s new principal, Jennifer Cooper, this isn’t just a new job—it’s a homecoming. A Lodi Academy graduate from kindergarten through twelfth grade, she now returns to lead the school that first nurtured her love of learning and her faith.

Her journey has taken her from teaching in multi-grade elementary classrooms to special education, college courses, and eventually high school math. After nine years teaching at Lodi Academy and a season focused on family, she has come back in a new role—one she sees as part of God’s plan.

What excites her most isn’t a building or a title. It’s the students. “We have the best students,” she says. “They’re smart, talented, full of potential, and they inspire me every day.” She believes school should spark curiosity, build confidence, and help every child discover the gifts God has placed within them. Academic excellence matters, but so do character, leadership, friendships, and a growing relationship with Jesus.

As the mother of five, she understands what parents hope for when they send their children to school. She wants every family to know that Lodi Academy is a place where students are known, encouraged, challenged, and loved.
One of her greatest joys is hearing from former students years later seeing them thriving in their careers, families, and faith.

That’s the kind of impact she hopes every Lodi Academy student experiences.
For her, Lodi Academy has always been more than a school. It’s home. And she’s excited to welcome a new generation of families into a community where students can grow, belong, and discover the purpose God has for their lives.

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Meet our new Principals: Tonja Rasmusson
Meet our new Principals: Tonja Rasmusson 4000 2250 Ken Miller

Every principal has a hidden wild side. Tonja Rasmusson’s appears to involve museums, efficient filing systems, and the occasional diagrammed sentence. She’ll happily tell you she’s “kind of boring.” We suspect that’s exactly what someone with color-coded spreadsheets would say.

Behind the dry humor, however, is someone whose calling has never been ordinary. After graduating from Union College (now Union Adventist University) with degrees in English education and religious education—and adding a minor in youth ministry because she wasn’t sure where God would lead—Rasmusson has spent more than 26 years helping young people reach their God-given potential.

Along the way, she has become convinced that education is about far more than academics. For Rasmusson, Adventist education is an opportunity to develop the whole person, recognizing that teachers influence not only what students know, but who they become. That conviction is one of the reasons she feels so blessed to serve as principal and teacher at Orangevale Adventist School, continuing its tradition of helping students know Jesus while pursuing academic excellence.

In her short time at Orangevale, one thing has stood out immediately.

“I have found the Orangevale church and school community to be incredibly caring and supportive—a wonderful example to its young people of how working together for God can be beautiful,” she said.

When she isn’t at school, Rasmusson enjoys traveling, camping, and making memories with her husband and family. She also enjoys learning for learning’s sake—which explains the museums… and perhaps the diagrammed sentences.

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A Community’s Thank You to Two Faithful Educators
A Community’s Thank You to Two Faithful Educators 6675 4450 Ken Miller

By Abigail Francisco

Students, parents, alumni, church members, coworkers, and friends gathered at Orangevale Seventh-day Adventist School to honor two educators who have shaped generations of students: Principal and 7th/8th-grade teacher Brad Davis, after 33 years of service, and 3rd/4th-grade teacher Shelley Kramer, after 21 years.

For two teachers who faithfully invested in the lives of students for decades, a simple farewell was never going to be enough. Home and School Coordinator Amapola Francisco organized a retirement celebration on Sabbath afternoon, May 16, creating an opportunity for the school community to express its gratitude and celebrate their lasting impact.

Francisco said, “While I didn’t know exactly how every detail of the program would come together, I approached the planning with a lot of prayer, faith, and a shared desire to celebrate them well. In the end, the evening reflected the lasting impact they have had on our school community and gave us the opportunity to show them just how deeply they are appreciated and loved.”

The sanctuary was filled with families, former students, coworkers, and friends as tributes, memories, speeches, and photo presentations celebrated the influence Davis and Kramer have had on countless lives through Adventist education.

Kramer reflected on the afternoon, saying, “The retirement program was a beautiful celebration. The heartfelt tributes from students, parents, and coworkers meant more than words can express. It has been an incredible blessing and privilege to spend my career teaching in such a caring and supportive community. While retirement is bittersweet, I will always be grateful for the relationships, memories, and experiences that have made this journey so meaningful.”

One of the afternoon’s most moving tributes was a surprise reunion of the 5th-8th-grade Girls Chorus. During his many years at Orangevale, Davis directed the choir, and as the current chorus performed, alumni quietly rose from the audience and joined them on stage. A few former Boys Chorus members also participated, creating a musical thank-you that united former and current students in honor of his years of ministry through music.

Davis said, “I was overwhelmed by the kindness and tributes shared by others, especially former students. The songs the Girls Chorus sang, including so many former Girls Chorus members, really touched my heart.”

Featured in Northern Lights, July 23, 2026
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Amy Miller: Partnering with Families, Preparing Disciples at Pine Hills Academy
Amy Miller: Partnering with Families, Preparing Disciples at Pine Hills Academy 3691 1887 Ken Miller

“We provide a high-quality education with a continual ability to introduce students to Jesus and deepen that relationship,” says Amy Miller.

For Amy, education has always been about more than academics. It is about creating an environment where students are challenged to grow, encouraged along the way, and reminded that learning can be filled with joy, curiosity, and purpose. After more than 25 years in Adventist education, Amy has seen that some of the most meaningful lessons happen when students feel known, supported, and excited to be part of the journey.

If you spend much time around Amy, you will quickly discover a leader who brings both encouragement and a sense of humor into everything she does. During her years teaching physical education, Amy would give students a choice: run a mile or run for ten minutes. Most students immediately chose ten minutes because it sounded easier—not realizing that a mile only takes 7-8 minutes. The lesson became a favorite story among teachers over the years, a reminder of

Amy’s ability to challenge students while making the journey enjoyable.
That same balance has shaped Amy’s approach throughout her career in Adventist education. She brings high expectations, a steady commitment to excellence, and a genuine joy for helping students grow. Her passion for teaching was influenced by her father, whose example as an educator inspired her to invest not only in the minds of students but also in their hearts.

Amy’s own Adventist education journey began at El Dorado Adventist School in Placerville before graduating from Monterey Bay Academy and continuing her studies at Pacific Union College. She began her teaching ministry at Hilltop Adventist School in Antioch before serving for ten years at Newbury Park Adventist Academy, where she taught math and biology and coached girls’ athletics. Most recently, Amy spent 13 years at Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy in Sonora, including two years as principal.

At Pine Hills Adventist Academy, Amy brings the same commitment to students while investing in the teachers who make Adventist education possible every day. She understands that teachers are at the heart of the school experience—building relationships, mentoring young people, and helping students discover their God-given purpose. By encouraging and supporting her faculty, Amy is helping create an environment where educators and students can thrive.

The strongest schools are built when teachers, families, and churches work together with a shared purpose.
“Adventist education is about preparing students for a lifetime of purpose,” Amy says. “From kindergarten through college and beyond, we want students to discover their gifts and understand how God can use them. Whether they become physicians, educators, pastors, entrepreneurs, scientists, or leaders in their communities, our hope is that they will use their lives to serve God and bless others.”

At Pine Hills Adventist Academy, Amy looks forward to partnering with students, families, teachers, and the church community to continue building a place where young people are known, encouraged, and prepared to follow God’s calling for their lives.

Please join us in welcoming Amy Miller to Pine Hills Adventist Academy!

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Damon Washington Installed at Grand Advent
Damon Washington Installed at Grand Advent 640 428 Ken Miller

On June 20, 2026, Grand Advent Church in Oakland welcomed Pastor Damon Washington as its new lead pastor during a special installation Sabbath surrounded by family, friends, and members from both his former congregations and his new church family.

The celebration brought together members from Pittsburg and Oakland Immanuel Temple Seventh-day Adventist Churches, where Washington and his wife, Jeanice Warden-Washington, served for four and a half years. While leaving those congregations was difficult, the Washingtons trusted that God was leading them to a new chapter of ministry. Reflecting on the transition, Washington shared, “They are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, but the Lord called us to a different part of His vineyard.”

As Washington begins this new assignment, he looks forward to partnering with the Holy Spirit and church members as they live out Grand Advent’s mission to love, worship, and serve. “I am in awe of the workings of God,” Washington said. “I was ordained at Grand Advent, and now I will serve as its lead pastor. I am honored and blessed to be chosen to lead this great congregation.”

As Grand Advent enters this new season of ministry, the congregation and its new pastor look ahead with faith, united in their commitment to share Christ’s love and see lives transformed through Jesus.

Featured in Northern Lights, July 23, 2026
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Growing Through Hands-On Learning
Growing Through Hands-On Learning 4000 2250 Ken Miller

By Lisa Thompson

At Crescent City Adventist School, hands-on learning is an important part of the classroom experience. From science lessons to caring for God’s creation, students are encouraged to learn by doing. As principal, I have the privilege of watching students discover, explore, and grow through experiences like our annual duckling project.

A few years ago, I bought a small incubator for the classroom, thinking it would be a fun project for the students. It has become something we all look forward to every year.

We begin by placing the eggs inside and then we wait. Around day 5 and again on day 11, we “candle” them—holding a bright light up to the shell so we can see what is happening inside. The students gather around to look. At first, we see tiny veins forming, and later, small movements. It never gets old watching their excitement as they realize something is growing inside.

With duck eggs, we count down 28 days to hatch day. Along the way, we talk about how the incubator provides the warmth and conditions a mother duck would naturally provide. When the first cracks appear and the ducklings begin to hatch, the classroom fills with excitement.

For about two weeks, the ducklings become part of our classroom family. Each morning, while we clean their kiddie pool, students take turns holding them. They watch how quickly the ducklings grow, how their soft down changes, and how they respond to sound—especially at feeding time. They learn that caring for something small requires patience, attention, and responsibility.

When weather allows, we take the ducklings outside. Students love finding bugs, grass, and weeds for them to eat while observing how they explore—pecking, splashing, and staying close together.

When the ducklings leave school, they usually come home with me, though one year we shared them with families in the community. Even cleanup becomes part of learning as we use the wood shavings from their pool as mulch around the fruit trees we planted last year.

By the end of the project, students have learned far more than the science of hatching a duckling. They have experienced the joy of discovery, the responsibility of caring for another living thing, and the reminder that some of the most meaningful lessons happen when we slow down and pay attention to the world around us.

Featured in Northern Lights, July 23, 2026
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Dreaming Big Dreams
Dreaming Big Dreams 4000 2250 Ken Miller

By Linnea Elias

As part of Galt Adventist School’s annual Artists and Authors event, students reflected on God’s unique design for each person and considered how their talents and strengths could be used to serve others. Through artwork and reflective essays centered on the theme of shining God’s light, they explored ways they could make a difference in the world around them.

To put these ideas into practice and expose students to real-world careers, the class embarked on a job-shadowing experience. Thanks to the support of parent volunteers and drivers, students visited either the Galt Police Department or Galt Precision Automotive. Along the way, they sought answers to questions such as:
• What are the daily responsibilities in this occupation?
• What skills are used in this job?
• What training or education is required for this position?

Students at the automotive shop enjoyed learning basic vehicle maintenance from the owner’s fiancée, practicing how to check oil levels and tire pressure. At the police station, students eagerly questioned officers about the responsibilities of detectives, community service officers, and the remarkable multitasking skills required of a 911 dispatcher.

It was a blessing to participate in this meaningful experience and to watch students begin connecting their God-given gifts with future opportunities to serve others and shine God’s light in their communities.

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