Darren Wilkins
Darren Wilkins has spent 13 years of his life at Mt. Ellis Academy as a student and administrator. He passed a happy childhood in Havre, Montana, attending the SDA elementary school there and dreaming one day becoming an MEA Eagle. That day did come. As an MEA student Darren studied just hard enough to maintain a 3.0 GPA while spending as much time as possible in the gym and on the MEA ski hill. In three years of high school at Mt. Ellis, he had only a handful of unpleasant visits to the principal’s office.
After graduation from Mt. Ellis, Mr. Wilkins headed off to Pacific Union College and then to the Adventist University at Collonges-sous-Saleve in France. He considers his year studying in France as pivotal to everything that came after. He became fluent in a second language, discovered a passion for history, and most importantly, met the love of his life, Yvette. Upon returning from France Mr. Wilkins completed his undergraduate studies at Walla Walla university, graduating with a BA in French and Minors in History and Math.
In short order after graduating from Walla Walla University, Mr. Wilkins Married the beautiful Yvette and began his career teaching Jr. High math and history at Loma Linda Academy in California. In 8 happy years at Loma Linda he served as Jr. High Vice-Principal and eventually moved to the high school level. All the while he dreamed of, once again, being an MEA Eagle. The opportunity finally came in 2001 when he was invited to return to Mt. Ellis Academy where he has served ever since.
Since returning to MEA Mr. Wilkins has completed his Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction as well as his State High School Principal Certification. His greatest source of pride however is in his three sons: Monte, Torvy, and Kobe.
Mr. Wilkins considers himself lucky to be working in his dream job. Mt. Ellis gives him the opportunity to make the things that he loves, part of his job. Outdoor adventure learning, skiing, service travel, and a small school family make for very fun work.