Comments on: Just a Little Off

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:47:54 +0000

Diane, thanks. Knowing that few of us have bowled or ever will bowl a perfect game (I know I never have!), I figured it was an analogy that would work!

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:33:11 +0000

Joe,
I love the anologies to bowling…wow can I relate to this !!! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. This is becoming my favorite place to go for ideas and support in my role as a catechist.

Diane

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:10:16 +0000

Ann Shuman, it’s good to hear from you again and thanks for your encouragement and your wonderful story! I’m amazed and inspired by people like you who take on such challenges with such a wonderful attitude. Teaching 32 kids is no small task for a professional teacher! You are doing something quite extraordinary and you sound like you’re enjoying it and that’s what is so inspiring!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:05:57 +0000

Susanm, thanks for the great words of encouragement! It is very helpful to me and I’m sure to so many catechists out there who experience those “off” days that bite us once in a while!

By: susanm

susanm — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:49:53 +0000

Don’t give up the ship! I have been a catechist for over twelve years. Part of that time I was a coordinator of religious education. what i have learned is that you just don’t always know WHAT will light a spark with the kids. I have had students years later comment on how much a particular lesson or word meant to them and i didn’t even remember it! It is discouraging sometimes. I am currently and 8th grade PSR catechist and we are experiencing the students who won’t come back after Confirmation. They think they’re “done”! This is very frustrating, but I put it all back in God’s hands. You can only take something so far and then the Holy Spirit has to take over! God bless you! Never, Never, Never give up! susanm

By: Ann Shuman

Ann Shuman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:14:30 +0000

Joe,
Thank you so much for all you do. Your sharing of some of your weak moments is the best medicine I could receive. It cures me of my self-doubt of whether I am capable of the task of standing before a class for one and a half hours a week with the hope that these beautiful students will walk away with some knowledge of God’s love for them. You see, I am not a teacher by trade, have no college degree. You may or may not remember me. I am the Grandma of Blake who in recent years have followed him as his teacher from 3rd, 4th,5th, 6th, 7th and now 8th grade. I am the one who is learning so much. I continue to learn even though I started teaching a class of 5th graders when I was 26. This year I started out with 16 students, but the other class of 16 lost their teacher after the second week and I couldn’t say No when asked to take them, so now I have 32. I am blessed with a wonderful aide and so it is working out. The downside is that I knew all my students by name and I am having difficulty learning the new ones. I remember your telling me last year that a class shouldn’t be larger than 15 students, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
I rely on your website for ideas. I click on it practically everyday to see what you have to share. I really like all the additional sites you provide especially Loyolapress. I just wanted you to know I really, really, do appreciate all the time and effort you put into you website. It is very useful.
THANK YOU!!

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:05:20 +0000

Margie, thanks for not giving up on me!

You’re right about Albany! I look forward to my springtime visit!

By: Margie

Margie — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:41:33 +0000

That’s all right, Joe we still love you anyway!

I heard some awesome news today; you’re coming to Spring Enrichment in Albany, NY next spring!!!
I can’t wait! I’ll be volunteering to “work” that day to guarantee me a spot right up front. LOL