The Psychology: A Christian Perspective class quickly became the talk of the campus.

Hello Dr. Rice,

My name is DeVita Andrews .  I am the Vice Principal – Student Services at Ocean View Christian Academy (formerly Midway Baptist Schools). 

In January 2013, the OVCA senior class (18 students) became our first class of students to be offered Psychology: A Christian Perspective.  I had been looking for quite some time for curriculum to enhance our Life Skills for College program—that upheld our vision statement and core values—faith, family, faculty, and future as well as be challenging yet engaging.  Lastly, I needed curriculum that was user friendly.  I have multiple responsibilities here at OVCA and I knew that adding one more thing to my already full-plate was “asking a bit much.” God was tugging at my heart because the need to equip our students was urgent.  We were already preparing them to be fiscally responsible by requiring our seniors to complete, Foundations in Personal Finance, by Dave Ramsey. 

After thorough investigation, your book was exactly what we needed. There was no hesitation on my part in implementing it.  I am overjoyed with the students’ results.  I received the following e-mail message from a student in our first week; mind you he’s a student that isn’t thrilled about reading and is bilingual. 

Hello Mrs. Andrews 

I just wanted to tell you that I read the first chapter of the psych textbook and I really enjoyed it. It was very interesting and to me it was fun to read. I just wanted to let you know at least from a student perspective that the text is enjoyable to read. I hope you have a great rest of the weekend! 

The Psychology: A Christian Perspective class quickly became the talk of the campus.  Students in 11^th grade wanted to take it, but our tight scheduling would not permit it.  Perspective students touring our school were so engaged during their visit to this class that it quickly became a “must stop” while guests were on campus.  Three of our students from the class of 2013 shifted from “undecided majors” to psychology majors.  This group of students demonstrated that the need had been there and finding the right curriculum to fulfill that need was a true blessing.  OVCA students are learning how valuable it is to engage the culture and not run, duck, and cover.  Studying psychology is not something to be afraid of, but to view it from the lens in which God intends for them to—Biblical worldview because truth is on their side. 

  

I don’t get tired of sharing truths from Psychology: A Christian Perspective with families, colleagues, and our Bible teachers.  Since implemented Psychology: A Christian Perspective it has brought another level of depth to our senior portfolio presentations that I thought was not possible. 

When we studied the brain, I added a fun lab—build a brain, taking edible foods such as a tangerine, raisins, gum drops, and red vines etc. to identify the brain stem,  hypothalamus, etc.  The association with the food and the labeling was a huge hit. That quiz was probably the highest scored quiz.  Adding hands on activities and journaling such as pointing out what perspective/worldviews they could identify in three commercials one night had students’ families looking at commercials differently. 

Thank you Dr. Rice for writing Psychology: A Christian Perspective. It is helping the faculty, students and me in fulfilling God’s call to equip students like we have not been able to before now.    May you continue to be encouraged and blessed because you will never truly know the depth of your ministry?  

Oh, by the way, the survey request from the graduating seniors was to move Psychology: A Christian Perspective to the first semester has been honored by the principle.  We will reuse the texts for at least one more year because our limited resources will not permit us to do otherwise.  I hope we will get to the point that seniors will be able to keep their books and have them as a resource when they go away to college.  But one thing for sure, I have not seen such diligent note taking in all my 14 years here at OVCA. Students were savoring every word, meaning, and experience. 

Called to Serve,

DeVita Andrews, CAC & LC
Vice Principal - Student Services
Ocean View Christian Academy (formerly Midway Baptist)
San Diego, CA