Commitment to Peace and Service
Radically Following Jesus Christ, In Word and In Deed
Advocating for Peace and Service is about joining with God to bring healing, hope, and restoration to the world. Dock's commitment to teaching peace and service to others is deeply rooted in our faith. It is part of our DNA as followers of Christ.
Our mission statement, adopted in 2017, states that "Dock Mennonite Academy inspires and equips each student to serve with a global perspective by integrating faith, academic excellence, and life-enriching opportunities in a Christ-centered community."
"To serve" is the primary verb of action for our students. Service is not something a few will choose to do; rather we strive to make it a way of life for each student, regardless of their career choice. Christ modeled a life of service, and Dock works to incorporate this value in both our formal and informal curriculum.
For Mini-Term 2024, a group of students and teachers from Dock traveled to Honduras to serve for a week with Healthy Niños.
Living Out the Gospel by Serving Others
As a Mennonite school that incorporates Anabaptist faith practices, the gospel message is lived out through praying, serving others, and enabling students to grow in understanding that they can make a positive difference in the world globally and locally.
Dock Mennonite Academy
!["Through the Lens of Service"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732755451/dockhsorg/jqnvbop441nlzm8d0j3r/fallconcert00931.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732755451/dockhsorg/jqnvbop441nlzm8d0j3r/fallconcert00931.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732755451/dockhsorg/jqnvbop441nlzm8d0j3r/fallconcert00931.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1732755451/dockhsorg/jqnvbop441nlzm8d0j3r/fallconcert00931.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1732755451/dockhsorg/jqnvbop441nlzm8d0j3r/fallconcert00931.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1732755451/dockhsorg/jqnvbop441nlzm8d0j3r/fallconcert00931.jpg","width":2200}])
Stephanie Clements (‘10), 2024 Young Alumni of the Year Award, Education & Advocacy Director at the Tropical Audubon Society
!["For the Greater Good"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732713013/dockhsorg/mb4tnuxq26aqiqqwl4kx/PeaceandServiceTestimonials-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732713013/dockhsorg/mb4tnuxq26aqiqqwl4kx/PeaceandServiceTestimonials-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732713013/dockhsorg/mb4tnuxq26aqiqqwl4kx/PeaceandServiceTestimonials-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1732713013/dockhsorg/mb4tnuxq26aqiqqwl4kx/PeaceandServiceTestimonials-2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1732713013/dockhsorg/mb4tnuxq26aqiqqwl4kx/PeaceandServiceTestimonials-2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1732713013/dockhsorg/mb4tnuxq26aqiqqwl4kx/PeaceandServiceTestimonials-2.jpg","width":2200}])
Dr. Deb Busch (’88), 2023 Outstanding Achievement Alumni of the Year Award, Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Service to Others:
The Dock Way of Life
Service at Dock reveals the value of an educational experience where faith and learning are inseparable. At every grade level, students participate in service opportunities and regularly practice putting the needs of others before their own. Service becomes a way of life for students and it becomes a part of the ethos of the Dock experience.
Teaching Peace Values
As an Anabaptist school, we focus on peacebuilding, including the use of restorative discipline, as a lifestyle of nonviolence, seeking justice and being part of a reconciling faith community. Below are some specific examples of how peace values are encouraged and taught at Dock:
Sam and Helen Lapp Peacemaking Award
- Each year at graduation, this award is given to a senior or group of seniors that have made a significant contribution to peace on Dock's campus.
- A significant way to highlight the importance of peace values alongside academic and other achievements.
- Recipients are active in sowing peace, fostering community on campus, and exemplifying the traits of Jesus.
Sam ('57) and Helen Lapp in June 2019, with the 2019 Peacemaking Award recipient, before their passing in 2021 (Helen) and 2022 (Sam).
A Culture of Peacebuilding on EC-8 Campus
- Peacemaking and peacebuilding skills are taught throughout all aspects of school life on EC-8 campus, including:
- Bible Curriculum
- Elementary and Middle School Chapels
- Recess to help guide students during gameplay conflicts
- Morning meetings when working with Responsive Classroom strategies
- Working with students on a daily basis with friendship conflicts and misunderstandings
- Social and Emotional Learning in middle school PBL; especially Empathy building and learning how to work with others
- In the photo below, 2nd Grade students paired with Early Childhood students to learn about kindness.
Conflict Resolution Class for all students
- Each junior is required to take Conflict Resolution.
- This course gives students the opportunity to learn how to resolve their differences peacefully and helps them develop effective ways of living and working together. Listening and responding skills are developed with daily practice.
- Among other objectives, students will leave the class with a "toolbox" of strategies and skills that will help them prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts constructively and nonviolently.
- In the photo below, Conflict Resolution students worked together in a cooperative activity using Legos. After reflecting on the activity, students said they learned, “we should all listen to others’ ideas because you never know what idea is going to be a good one until it is shared”, and “communication is an important tool when working with others”.
