n June 30, 2022, Harold A. Crook, Ed.D., will retire after 45 years of service in Christian education. “My emphasis in my career has been promoting Jesus to my students and hopefully creating a spiritual environment where Jesus was mentored to the students,” Crook shared, “making them feel loved and accepted, even in times where maybe that was difficult.” Crook began his career in Christian education in 1977 at Lodi Academy in the Northern California Conference, spending seven years there teaching Bible and PE as well as being the chaplain. From there, he moved on to SCC Office of Education holiday photo 2019 Newbury Park Adventist Academy, where he served as chairman of the religion department and the department of education,” Crook expressed, and Bible teacher. One year later, he became the vice “and I will always be thankful that I was able to work principal, before eventually becoming the principal. In with leaders like Elder Velino Salazar and Elder Larry 2011, he came to the Southern California Conference Caviness, who both made Adventist education a top office as the Superintendent for Education, a title that priority.” later changed to Vice President for Education. A major takeaway of Crook’s career will be “As a conference superintendent, I felt my major role relationships. “The most difficult part for me as I’m was supporting principals so they could be the CEOs of leaving the superintendent position is leaving an amazing their schools and effectively and spiritually develop an team of leaders and teachers in SCC that I’ve had the environment where Jesus could be mentored to their honor to be a part of,” he noted. students,” he noted. When asked about his greatest joy in this position, Crook’s time in education was marked with passion Crook didn’t hesitate: “The lifelong relationships that for his work. “My philosophy was—and is—no student have been built by those that I’ve had the privilege of has ever been denied a Christian education because of having as either students, teachers, or associates,” he finances,” he shared. “I have never in 45 years turned a shared. “I have found it a privilege to work with my student away because of finances.” superintendents. All of them have been focused, well Crook pioneered multiple programs during his trained, and committed to Christian education.” time as superintendent. “I’m excited that I was able to In retirement, Crook looks forward to spending quality develop a principal retention program,” he said, “which time with his family, including his two grandchildren, essentially rewards principals for continuing to work in “and reconnecting and having the time to enjoy all of the the SCC as leaders at their schools and continuing to relationships that were cultivated as a result of working improve as leaders in their schools.” in Christian education for the last 45 years.” “I felt it a privilege to work under a president who ___________________ was so dedicated and supportive of Adventist education By Lauren Lacson
42 Pacific Union Recorder
Southern California Conference
PHOTOS: LAUREN LACSON
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Harold Crook Retires After 45 Years of Service in Christian Education
