In Service and Faith: The Inspiring Journeys of Two Couples in Adventist Education

For more than 140 years, Pacific Union College has been a pillar of education, preparing and supporting students for lives of service and leadership.

Many alumni have embarked on remarkable journeys of faith and service, particularly as teachers. Among those educators are two couples who stand out as examples of the enduring impact of Seventh-day Adventist education and mission.

In addition to their shared beginnings at PUC and a deep commitment to their faith, these couples have embraced their roles as educators, shaping hearts and minds with a passion driven by their faith in God and an unwavering dedication to excellence.

Both couples expressed gratitude to PUC for giving them a strong educational foundation. They attributed their success as teachers to the guidance and mentorship of numerous professors, especially those in the education department, who supported them academically and spiritually.

Matt and Kim Bennie work at Redlands Adventist Academy, where they take their responsibility as educators seriously. Each day, they strive to instill a love of Christ in their students.

“My hope is that students feel God’s love and embrace their true identity of being children of God,” Matt said. “As students create in the classroom, we can connect all lessons back to their Creator.”

Scott and Stacy Knight, educators at Columbia Adventist Academy in Washington state, are deeply attuned to teenagers’ daily challenges. They are committed to providing support by demonstrating their own reliance on God as a source of strength and guidance.

“I pray that I can be a steady role model for them and an example of faith,” Stacy said. “And that I can show them what God’s steadying presence in the tough times can do.”

The Bennies

Matt,’01, grew up in Southern California, and education was deeply ingrained in his family. His grandfather, Rue Hoen, led the Department of Chemistry at PUC from 1937 to 1954. Matt’s mother, Anita Bennie (att. ’63-64), was a longtime educator with a remarkable ability to connect with students. Matt’s two brothers, Mike ’95 and Scott (att. ’92-94), also have careers in education.

Reflecting on his journey into teaching, Matt credits his experience as a student at Orangewood Adventist Academy and the teachers who inspired him.

Kim (Shaw),’01, spent three years teaching swimming lessons to children while at Modesto Adventist Academy—an experience she loved. Before starting PUC, she realized how much she missed interacting with the children. She promptly changed her major to education.

Initially, Matt and Kim crossed paths through mutual friends at PUC. But it wasn’t until their first year of teaching—Kim at Napa Adventist Junior Academy and Matt at Redlands Adventist Academy—that they realized their connection was more than platonic. They reminisce about that first year of teaching, navigating the inevitable learning curves while anticipating weekend trips to see each other, thanks to Southwest’s $29 low-fare deals.

The following year, Kim moved to Redlands to teach 6th grade while Matt continued teaching junior high. They kept dating while working alongside each other. In June 2004, they married.

Matt began teaching 5th grade in 2008-2009. In February 2009, they welcomed their first daughter, Jennalyn, prompting Kim to focus on being a full-time mother. Three years later, in 2012, they had their second daughter, Jordyn. Though she wasn’t teaching, Kim remained engaged in part-time roles at RAA, serving as the WASC Self-Study Coordinator and the school’s K-12 librarian since 2018.

Their daughters, Jennalyn and Jordyn, now 15 and 12, respectively, had the privilege of having their father as their 5th grade teacher.

“Thankfully, they already were excellent students, were patient with me, and had understanding friends as well,” Matt said.

Looking ahead, Matt and Kim are confident about one thing: “My daughters only have two choices for college: Pacific Union College or PUC.”

Matt and Kim are still passionate about their work with students.

“My motivation is being able to interact with kids and hopefully make a difference in their lives by loving them, supporting them, and leading them to Christ while providing an excellent education,” Kim said.

The Knights

Stacy (Herrmann),’07, found inspiration in her father, Doug Herrmann, who devoted many years to Adventist education. Despite the challenges, Stacy admired her father’s love for his work and decided to pursue a high school English teacher career.

“I enjoyed the interactions and meaningful discussions I had with teachers and wanted to have that with my own students,” Stacy said.

Scott,’04, grew up on the Oregon coast and graduated from Milo Adventist Academy before earning a B.A. in graphic technology from Pacific Union College. He truly valued the support and guidance of his professors.

“​The visual arts community at PUC was amazing, and the instructors played a big role in facilitating and fostering that atmosphere,” Scott said.

After finishing at PUC, he spent a year as a student missionary in Palau. The experience ignited a strong desire to serve others, and after returning to the U.S., he was determined to return.

Shortly after his return from Palau, Scott met and started dating Stacy at PUC. Stacy was working on her English major and teaching credentials. Despite Scott’s desire to return to Palau, he wanted to remain near Stacy. They got married in December 2006.

The couple moved to Palau after Stacy graduated from PUC in 2007. Stacy taught high school English at Palau Mission Academy, and Scott taught computers, graphic design, and yearbook. Originally planning to stay for two years, they loved it so much that they stayed another year.

Scott and Stacy returned to the U.S. in 2010 amid the economic collapse, making it challenging to find teaching jobs. Fortunately, a chance encounter led them to Holbrook Indian School in Arizona, where they taught for three years. Their first daughter, Alana, was born in 2012.

In 2013, the Knights moved to Washington, and Stacy began teaching English at Columbia Adventist Academy while Scott stayed home with Alana. Their second daughter, Ellie, was born a year and a half later.

Once Alana started kindergarten, Scott taught photography and graphic design part-time. As Ellie began school, he transitioned to teaching full-time again.

This year marks Stacy’s 11th year at CAA and Scott’s sixth.

The Knights continue to love their work, driven by a sense of mission—the same spirit that guided them to Palau and Holbrook. They strongly believe in the importance of a Christian school environment for students.

“Adventist education gives students a safe space to grow, question, and explore,” Stacy said. “It shows them their value and the value of others as children of God. It’s not always perfect, and we don’t always see the immediate effects of the work, but it’s still so worth it.