Originally published on Wisconsin Academy’s Facebook page on August 9, 2024.
Wisconsin Academy is thrilled to introduce our new principal, Derek Timms! You may have met him at the Camp Meeting or during one of his visits to churches this summer. Derek joins us from Ozark Adventist Academy. Learn more about Derek and his family below! Welcome to W.A. Timms family!
Derek Timms grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from Ozark Adventist Academy in 2005. The following year he graduated from the European Bible School of Health and Agriculture in Skotselv, Norway. While there he trained for mission work, health, evangelism, and leadership classes and served in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia for two months. He completed his undergraduate degrees at Union College (2011) and postgraduate degree at Andrews University (2014). He married his wife, Courtney, in 2013. They have three children- Denali (7), Rainey (6), and Emmett (2).
In 2011, Derek began his career at Dakota Adventist Academy before returning to Ozark in 2016. He has primarily been a Religion Teacher for all thirteen years of his career. He won the Southwestern Union Teaching in Excellence Award (2021) for his work at Ozark. He also won the Spark Tank competition during the National Teacher’s Convention (2023) for his evangelism program at Ozark.
Some of Derek’s other responsibilities have included: planning a leadership camp for the student leaders at Dakota, planning mission trips at Dakota and at Ozark to Holbrook Indian School, being a class sponsor and planning class trips, being the lead sponsor of the student association for six years at Ozark, starting and coaching the varsity soccer program at Ozark, being a U6 volunteer soccer coach for Siloam Springs FC, coaching volleyball at Dakota and Ozark, starting the Floor Hockey Tournament at Ozark, starting the Kubb Club at Ozark, starting the Evangelism Program at Ozark- which includes taking students to Mark and Teenie Finley’s Living Hope Evangelism School in Haymarket, Virigina and creating a four-year evangelism plan, teaching Sabbath School classes at Dakota and Ozark, doing baptismal studies with students, and preaching at local churches.
He intends to make Wisconsin Academy a premier destination for students, staff, and their families as they continue their journey with Jesus.
