Seventh-day Adventist Education is a remarkable system of education that began in 1872 and has grown to be the second largest Christian educational system worldwide. Presently in North America there are over 1000 elementary and secondary schools and 15 colleges and universities serving 65,000 students. The Potomac Conference Corporation operates 20 schools educating over 1,700 students, Pre-K through 12th grade. It is our objective to provide top quality education through passionate Christian educators for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Vice President for Education
Steve Laing
VP for Education
Office Ext. 1228
Steve Laing joined the Potomac Conference as Vice-President for Education in July of 2018 and has over 27 years of experience as an educator and administrator. He received his BA in Business Administration and History from Atlantic Union College and later his Masters in School Administration also from AUC. Steve taught history for many years before stepping into administrative roles. He also had the opportunity to participate in the musical ministry of The King’s Heralds Quartet singing baritone. It was a childhood dream come true. Steve and his wife April enjoy hiking, traveling, and serving the Lord.
Education Department Team
Janet Armstrong
Associate, Southern District
Office Ext. 1229
Meet Janet
Janet Frank Armstrong (“Mrs. A”) began teaching after graduating from La Sierra College in 1984. Throughout those 35 years she has taught grades K-8, with the majority being in K/1. Her career began in Southern California Conference, where she served for 13 years. She moved to Potomac Conference in 1997, working in Roanoke (Va.), Olney (Md.), and 15 years as teaching principal at Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School, in Fredericksburg, Va..
Armstrong says what she most enjoyed about teaching in the primary grades was being the starting gate of learning and seeing the newness of each day through the eyes of excited kids who have a heart and love for Jesus and others. She makes a point to stay in contact with her former students and enjoys seeing “her kids” become adults–so many of which have given their hearts to the Lord.
Gabriel Madrid
Associate, Northern District
Office Ext. 1228
Meet Gabriel
Gabriel Madrid is a seasoned educational leader with more than 16 years of experience. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Theology from Southwestern Adventist University (Keene, Texas), Madrid spent 10 years teaching history, economics and government in schools across Texas, California and Pennsylvania.
In 2013, Madrid graduated from Temple University (Philadelphia, Penn.) with a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Since then he has led as a principal, director of innovation and, in 2020, accepted the call to serve as an associate superintendent of education for Potomac. Madrid has presented on topics such as effective organizational leadership, developing school culture and data driven instruction. His mission is to develop leaders that will inspire young people to change the world. He is in love with his wife, Kailisha, and the proud father of their three beautiful children.
Carla Simmons
Administrative Assistant
Office Ext. 1228
Meet Carla
Carla has been teaching in the Adventist school system for 27 years. During these years, Carla taught grades PK-12, served as principal and led seminars and workshops for teachers. Prior to becoming a teacher, Carla was studying Corporate Communications and planning to work on an MBA, but God led her to work with young people instead. She joined the Potomac office team in June 2021, combining her teaching and business skills to continue furthering God’s work in education.
Potomac Schools
Virginia Schools
C .F. Richards Junior Academy (includes Pre-K)
Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy
Manassas Adventist Preparatory School
Powell Valley Christian School (includes Pre-K)
Roanoke Adventist Christian School
Shenandoah Valley Academy Elementary School (includes Pre-K)
Stanley SDA School (includes Pre-K)
Tappahannock Junior Academy (includes Pre-K)
Tidewater Adventist Academy (includes Pre-K)
Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School (Grades K -8)
Vienna Adventist Academy (Pre-K – 12th grade)
Richmond Academy (Pre-K – 12th grade)
Shenandoah Valley Academy (high school |9-12th grade)
Maryland Schools
Beltsville Adventist School
Olney Adventist Preparatory School
Takoma Academy Preparatory School
Takoma Academy (high school | 9-12th grade)
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Potomac Education Foundation
The Potomac Conference Education 
Foundation is a scholarship foundation approved to participate in the Virginia Tax Credits Scholarships Program. The Foundation’s emphasis is on using funds donated through the Virginia Tax Credits Scholarships Program to provide scholarships to financially eligible students so they can attend Adventist schools.
