But those facets of Treadwell’s life have not diminished her impact and skill in educational ministry. In fact, she has become a force in Christian education, most recently exemplified by her being named Educator of the Year by the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators.
“To be presented as APCE’s Educator of the Year is mind-boggling given my history,” She said.
Treadwell’s husband, John, is a fourth-generation Presbyterian, and many of the couple’s early dates were at church.
“I came to the Presbyterian Church through lust evangelism,” she joked at the awards presentation, held at APCE’s annual event here Jan. 27-30.
After marrying, the Treadwells joined a church in Dallas. She began teaching Bible stories to fifth- and sixth-grade students. It was through these classes that Treadwell herself learned the Bible stories, working to keep one week ahead of the lesson plans.
She later entered the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, where she earned a master’s in Religious Education. It was there that she learned more about Presbyterian traditions.
“I felt like Cinderella — the Presbyterian shoe fit,” Treadwell said.
Unbinding, with God’s help
One Bible verse in particular has stuck with Treadwell, and she used it to describe her thoughts on Christian education.
The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead includes the phrase “Unbind him, and let him go” (John 11:44).
For Treadwell, unbinding is what educators are meant to do. They unbind people from their biases, freeing them, “to help them be all they can be.”
“As educators, unbinding, with God’s help,” is the work we do,” Treadwell said.
Unbinding requires relationships. In education, this means equipping and empowering others with whom you work.
At the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (2008), Treadwell was the overture advocate for adolescent development resources, including human sexuality. The overture was approved and was a response to the 217th GA (2006) decision to stop distribution of such curriculum.
Those materials had taught adolescents how to view sexuality with God’s purpose in mind, Treadwell said. Throwing away the materials and teaching abstinence-only education disallowed the realities of current culture and presented a shallow and unrealistic view to youth, she said.
Treadwell said the youth she works with want to know what God says about human sexuality and culture, she said.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Also honored on Jan. 29 was Evelyn Edwards, who was presented with APCE’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Described by presenter Bruce Harvey as a “rock” for children and adults, Edwards served as director of Children’s Ministry at First Church in Greensboro, N.C., for 22 years.
