Youth

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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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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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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