Puget Sound Adventist Academy in Kirkland, Wash., has welcomed new technology director Vladimir Bokov and journalism teacher/advisor Kathy Tompkins.
Bokov
Bokov’s teachers in his native Russia repeatedly told him to forget his religion and place learning above all else, but he never gave up his faith.
Bokov went on to graduate from high school and later earned a B.A. degree from Andrew’s University.
Russian schools operate Monday through Saturday, with exams on Saturday, but through creative scheduling and God’s guiding power, Bokov was able to gain a high school education.
Because university-level studies were unheard of in the 1980s for anyone not adhering to communist principles, Bokov studied in an Andrews University extension program.
In 1989, the Adventist Church was allowed to open a publishing house in Russia, and because of his skill in English, he was employed as an editor/translator and later editor-in-chief.
After a short visit to America in 1995, he realized the great need for technology in Russia and began working on “systems certification.”
A series of seemingly miraculous events allowed him and his family to immigrate to the United States in September 2001.
As a teacher, he helps his students become comfortable in a world where everything is going digital—from professional photography to video production and editing.
He plans to incorporate Web page design and system networking, while helping PSAA staff include the latest technology in their teaching, at a highly competent level.
He feels his greatest challenge is to provide technical support and maintain the 80 computers on campus.
Kellie Tompkins
Kellie Tompkins, a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. degree in journalism, brings her love of journalistic writing to PSAA.
She has worked as a reporter for the “Topeka Capital-Journal,” served as a Michigan legislative reporter, and received the Kansas Pen Women’s award for freelance achievements. This summer, she taught a writing class at Washington Conference Camp Meeting.
Her goals are to pass along to her students a love of investigative interviewing, writing, reporting, and creative page layout.
She believes that good, journalistic writing can benefit the Seventh-day Adventist Church and open many doors, no matter what career paths her students choose. She also serves as yearbook advisor.
Her two sons, Andrew and Daniel, are PSAA students, and her husband, Joel, serves as Washington Conference associate treasurer. •
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