For Peter Cousins, the new principal at Spring Valley Academy, this principle has guided a remarkable 30-year career in education—one that began in the most unexpected way.
Peter's journey didn't start in a classroom. Initially, he studied to become a pastor, but financial constraints led him down a different road. For five years, he worked as a door-to-door book salesman, even starting a program called Mega Books at Campion Academy in the early 1990s.
When a relationship prompted him to seek more stable work, Peter pivoted toward physical therapy, motivated primarily by financial security. But sitting in church one day, he experienced a conviction that would change everything—not a voice, but a deep sense that he should pursue ministry through education.
He switched his major at the University of Michigan to become an education major, focusing on science and math. It was a decision he's never regretted.
After three decades in education, what still excites Peter? The answer is simple: seeing hearts and minds transformed.
He shares a story from his time at Fletcher Academy about a young man struggling with serious behavioral issues. Rather than immediately taking disciplinary action, Peter and the school chaplain created space for ministry and grace. Three days later, the student came to Peter's office in tears and confessed everything.
"Those are moments of grace that can touch hearts and young minds and draw them closer to Jesus," Peter reflects. "That's why we do education."
Since joining Spring Valley Academy in July, Peter has been working to expand the school's mission of service and academic excellence.
Disaster Relief Training
One major initiative launching this fall is a program called "To Serve," which trains students in disaster relief through FEMA's CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) certification. The training, scheduled for the last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of October, will equip students to respond to natural disasters.
Students will learn to remove debris, perform "house mucks" (gutting flood-damaged homes), and distribute essential resources like water and clothing. This certification allows them to access disaster areas earlier than typical volunteers.
The program connects multiple schools across the NAD, creating a network of young people ready to serve communities in their darkest moments. "We meet these people when they've lost everything," Peter explains. "We show up with an army of young people rightly trained and we minister to them."
The impact is profound—families who would have faced tens of thousands of dollars in cleanup costs receive help in a single day, often ending in tears of gratitude and prayer.
Formalized Academic Tracks
Spring Valley Academy is also working to formalize specialized academic tracks for students interested in fields like medicine and engineering. The goal is to create clear pathways that prepare students for their future careers, including a potential partnership with Kettering College where students could take face-to-face college courses on campus.
Throughout the conversation, one theme remains constant: it's all about drawing people closer to Jesus. Whether through education, service, or personal ministry, Peter's vision for Spring Valley Academy centers on creating opportunities for students to encounter God's grace in tangible ways.
As the Spring Valley community prays for wisdom, guidance, and blessing over Peter's leadership and the school's initiatives, there's a sense of excitement about what God will do through these young people—whether they're serving disaster victims, pursuing their academic passions, or simply learning to center their lives around faith.
Peter's journey didn't start in a classroom. Initially, he studied to become a pastor, but financial constraints led him down a different road. For five years, he worked as a door-to-door book salesman, even starting a program called Mega Books at Campion Academy in the early 1990s.
When a relationship prompted him to seek more stable work, Peter pivoted toward physical therapy, motivated primarily by financial security. But sitting in church one day, he experienced a conviction that would change everything—not a voice, but a deep sense that he should pursue ministry through education.
He switched his major at the University of Michigan to become an education major, focusing on science and math. It was a decision he's never regretted.
After three decades in education, what still excites Peter? The answer is simple: seeing hearts and minds transformed.
He shares a story from his time at Fletcher Academy about a young man struggling with serious behavioral issues. Rather than immediately taking disciplinary action, Peter and the school chaplain created space for ministry and grace. Three days later, the student came to Peter's office in tears and confessed everything.
"Those are moments of grace that can touch hearts and young minds and draw them closer to Jesus," Peter reflects. "That's why we do education."
Since joining Spring Valley Academy in July, Peter has been working to expand the school's mission of service and academic excellence.
Disaster Relief Training
One major initiative launching this fall is a program called "To Serve," which trains students in disaster relief through FEMA's CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) certification. The training, scheduled for the last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of October, will equip students to respond to natural disasters.
Students will learn to remove debris, perform "house mucks" (gutting flood-damaged homes), and distribute essential resources like water and clothing. This certification allows them to access disaster areas earlier than typical volunteers.
The program connects multiple schools across the NAD, creating a network of young people ready to serve communities in their darkest moments. "We meet these people when they've lost everything," Peter explains. "We show up with an army of young people rightly trained and we minister to them."
The impact is profound—families who would have faced tens of thousands of dollars in cleanup costs receive help in a single day, often ending in tears of gratitude and prayer.
Formalized Academic Tracks
Spring Valley Academy is also working to formalize specialized academic tracks for students interested in fields like medicine and engineering. The goal is to create clear pathways that prepare students for their future careers, including a potential partnership with Kettering College where students could take face-to-face college courses on campus.
Throughout the conversation, one theme remains constant: it's all about drawing people closer to Jesus. Whether through education, service, or personal ministry, Peter's vision for Spring Valley Academy centers on creating opportunities for students to encounter God's grace in tangible ways.
As the Spring Valley community prays for wisdom, guidance, and blessing over Peter's leadership and the school's initiatives, there's a sense of excitement about what God will do through these young people—whether they're serving disaster victims, pursuing their academic passions, or simply learning to center their lives around faith.
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