By teaching in a Catholic School, how do you help spread the good news?

Jan. 25, 2007

"There is a saying from St. Teresa of Avila that says, 'Christ has no hands but your hands, no feet but your feet.' This saying is a reminder to me that every day when I do work with my students the good news of Christ must be modeled in my words and actions. Then, in turn, my students will see this and hopefully work to bring about the good news of Christ in their actions." - Kristie Hough, 5th-6th grade teacher, Seton Grade School, Algona

"I help spread the good news each day by my actions and the way I interact with the students. Each student is unique and special, so I try to show them how to respect themselves and each other. We all need to share our gifts God has given us and I feel my gift is to teach and show students God's love and to learn in a fun and creative way." - Peg DeMarce, kindergarten teacher, St. John School, Bancroft

"Teaching in a Catholic school is the best way I can find to spread the good news of Jesus. I accomplish this by teaching students how to be good Christians in the community along with teaching the traditional curriculum. Gospel scriptures are an integrated part of their instruction. It is my job as a teacher to meet each student's intellectual ability by teaching at his or her level by recognizing that each student is a unique creation of God." - Heather Cary, 3rd grade teacher, St. Rose of Lima School, Denison

"As a teacher, I am able to spread the Good News by challenging and guiding our students in and out of the classroom. I encourage them to do and be more. I lead them to walk by faith and know that God is with them. I model the Good News by living the faith and showing good character." - Brenda Ortmann, business teacher, Spalding Catholic High School, Granville

"I spread the good news by teaching my fourth grade students morals and how to live their lives as Christians. We learn about respecting others because we are all God's children. Also, I spread the good news by praising positive behaviors and serving as a role model by my actions." - Mandy Rahm, 4th grade teacher, St. Mary's School, Humboldt

"In teaching Theology, I have an excellent opportunity to share the Good News through the textbooks we use, through Scripture, and daily prayer in each class. Since our students are taught by word and example to spread the Good News to all they encounter both in and out of school, I, too must strive to be a living example of that as well." - Christina Odom, theology teacher at Bishop Heelan High School, Sioux City

"By teaching in a Catholic school, I have the ability to help students gain knowledge of the 'good news' of God and their faith as well as confidence to spread it. I can teach my students about God and actually get them involved in living out their faith in and out of the classroom. By helping our students live out their faith on a day-to-day basis, they start to understand their role in spreading the 'good news' of God." - Justin Coury, middle school religion teacher, Sacred Heart School, Sioux City

"Whether we are praising God for a good test grade or an athletic victory, seeking His strength to deal with a hectic week or a personal crisis, or considering how to handle ourselves in the classroom, my students and I can openly share with each other the Good News that Jesus has His caring hand in all parts of our life."  - Diane Frank, mathematics teacher at St. Mary's High School, Storm Lake

"At SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School we help spread the Good News by teaching religion and by being good role models. We teach the children to pray and we model for them the ways they can do what Jesus would do. We integrate the Good News into the curriculum and again modeling through the day. We stay close to Jesus in our own lives so that the Holy Spirit can live and work in us affecting our students." - Mary Mader - K-6, Cynthia Laubenthal K-6, Pat Alberts 3-6, Nancy Frerk K-2, 5-6