As a teacher in a Catholic school, how do you demonstrate have Faith in Every Student?

January 27, 2005

Faith is believing. Believing is first that God will guide me in knowing how to teach and reach each student. I firmly believe that each student that I encounter can learn to have faith and self-efficacy in himself/herself through the age and developmentally appropriate activities and lessons I teach. They "think" they can and I "know" they can.

- Linda Lind, kindergarten teacher Seton Grade School, Algona

"I feel the most important way we can instill faith in our children is through the example we set. We are models of Christ in the lives of our students and we must make Christ visible to them whether it's in the cafeteria, on the playground, or during math class. The active participation of our students with the various projects and activities at our school are good indicators of their faith. Our Lenten and Advent activities, our mission child project, our Adopt-a-family and our involvement at weekly Masses show that they are caring children of God and willing and eager to help God's other children as well.

- Maxine Antoine, 5th grade teacher St. John's Bancroft

"I believe I can show faith in every student through the day-to-day expectations in the classroom. By keeping my expectations high, I am teaching them that I believe in their abilities at the present time and in their potential for their future life in Church and society. Students are never allowed to say 'I can't.' Instead, they say 'I need some help.' Students are not allowed to interrupt one another. They learn that what each person has to contribute is important and worthy of being heard."

- Doris Riesselman, Sacred Heart School, Boone

"As a teacher in a Catholic School I am given the challenge of providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate their faith through their words and actions on a daily basis. I meet this challenge by presenting information in the context of ethics, values and theology. Students then begin to realize that all of their decisions, thoughts, and actions are a reflection of their own value system which is routed in their faith."

- Carol Andersen

Teacher, theology teacher, Kuemper Catholic High School, Carroll

As a teacher in a Catholic school, I demonstrate faith in every student by trusting each one to do his/her best. They set personal academic and social goals and evaluate themselves, as well as in areas of learning. I present situations for the fifth and sixth graders to live the Christian message of social concern and service. Valuing education to justice, mercy and peace as essential to a world citizen, students are encouraged to respect the uniqueness of peers and others.

- Sister Ellen Mary Garrett, Danbury Catholic, Danbury

"Teaching in a Catholic school is a team effort here at St. Mary's. This team creates a family like atmosphere for all who come here. We have faith in each student's ability and work together to let each student's light shine. The entire faculty and staff care about each student who has passed through these halls. Testament to this is the many students who volunteer as peer helpers, or just drop in to visit 'old' teachers. We as a faculty have faith in God and his teachings. The faculty models this belief in our interaction with each other and with our students. We all learn from and share in the triumphs and road bumps our students encounter. We believe in each student's God given talents to be the best they can be."

- Faculty St. Mary's, Humboldt

"It has always been a privilege to work with students. Each day is another opportunity to see the students bear the fruits of our labors. The team, 'our team,' is the Trinity and the adults in the lives of our students. The young people we work with show us each and every day of what they are made of and where they need to grow. It is our job as adults (teachers/leaders), to assist them every step along the way. Grow is the key word. Students are the seeds. The 'team' is like sunshine, moisture, soil and fertilizer. As part of the team, we can interchange rolls as the situation warrants. Some days we need to be the soil so the student can set their roots. Other days we need to be the moisture or fertilizer to refresh and energize them so they can continue to grow. Other days, the sunshine, so we can light up their world after the darkness."

- Terry and Lynn Tomke, principal and vocal director, Bishop Heelan High School, Sioux City

"I believe that we are all baptized in faith and are deserving of God's dignity. Therefore, as a model of faith to my students, I try to demonstrate to them the gospel values that are essential to living each day to the fullest. We are all unique and special individuals, and we should accept and respect the gifts and talents of each other. I can also demonstrate faith in every student by challenging them to live their faith through prayer and service."

- Kris Vondrak, Sacred Heart School, Sioux City

"I demonstrate having faith in every student by setting challenging goals for them. I show them that I have confidence in them and if they are willing to persevere, these goals are very attainable to them."

Amy Illg, 2nd grade teacher, Sacred Heart School, Spencer

"Demonstrating faith in every student means talking and discussing things the students believe in. All year long especially during Advent and Lent we do activities that demonstrate how we have faith in one another. We pray several times a day and discuss readings from the Bible. We talk about faith in our own lives, how our families have faith and how faith is present in our school."

- Trixie Reed, fifth and sixth grade teacher, Sts. Peter & Paul, West Bend