Some of my greatest Lessons for Life came from my Catholic teachers. They role modeled, encouraged, expected, and positively reinforced core values such as fairness, compassion, and respect. These are values which have served me well (in childhood and adulthood). And they are values I try to encourage and ignite in my children…
Lessons for Life
In grade 6, one of our classmates (and one of my best friends) died of Cancer. She had been sick for a long time. It was the first time, I had experience a death so close to my age. Shortly after the funeral, our teacher coordinated the parents, who were able, to donate money to buy a plant for the family. Then, our teacher arranged for us to go on a sort of field trip….walking through our school’s neighbourhood to our deceased friend’s home. There, we presented the family with cards and the plant (which would bloom every year around the same time – signaling a remembrance of her life).
This experience has stayed with me through the years.
Classrooms aren’t just desks and chairs. They are community. Classmates are just colleagues. They are friends. Teachers aren’t just knowledge-share-ers. They are leaders. In that experience of visiting my friend’s mother — I understood closure. I participated in empathy. I felt what it was to make a difference as a community.
I think this was a cornerstone experience in my life as well. I attend community and family celebrations (and funerals) with a deeper commitment to “how can I help you now?” personal action.
Share Goodness
My son attends French Catholic school and I see him learning the same core values now. He talks about “understanding” almost every day. Yesterday he said to me “Mom, you do so much. I want you to have a day off.” *heart melts*. This is exactly the kind of caring, thoughtful person I want him to grow into.
Catholic teachers promote values that help students become engaged and contributing citizens. Graduates of their schools participate in elections, donate to charities and volunteer in their communities at very high rates.
Lessons for Life – Resilience in 3D from OECTA on Vimeo.
Catholic teachers deliver lessons that extend beyond math, science and history. They shape the character and values of the students that they teach.
Visit http://www.catholicteachers.ca/LessonsForLife for more information.
This post is part of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers #catholicteachers sponsored program. I received compensation as thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.
I admit there was a difference with my best friends children’s education within the Catholic Schools compared to my children in other schools even here in AB. There is a mutual respect between students & teachers sadly lost or missing in other schools.
To bad the public schools in our area were not like this, the teachers don’t seem to care if they are there and teaching the students, not like it was when I went to school
Great teachers can make all the difference in a child’s life. A good teacher knows how to bring out the best in a student.
I really lucked out with my kids’ school. They’re in public school, but their teachers are super high caliber. That is so important to me. Good teachers can help us mold our kids into amazing humans.
Teachers play a very important part in the life and development of a child. Teachers used to follow a calling (it certainly wasn’t the pay!) it’s unfortunately not always the case these days. I know that in England (where one of my sons teaches) it’s an extremely stressful job these days and very time consuming. He often spends 12 hrs at school and come report time he’s up until 3 am most days. I don’t know if it’s the same here but over there teachers are leaving the profession in droves.
I went to public school as there was no Catholic school in NB. But the school though us Catechism. I would say some of my best life lesson I learn from my parents and some great teachers. My children went to Catholic school and they had wonderful teachers and learn great life lessons.
My children spent the first few years at a public school and it was okay. We decided to switch them to the local Catholic School and we’re amazed at the difference in curriculum. I am so glad that we made the switch.
I am so sorry about your friend. God bless her soul, and you for having to hold onto that for your entire life.
Teachers are a huge part of our childhood if you think about it. They often see a child more time in a day than their own parents! I’m so glad you had such a great experience.
Such a great post and thank you for being so open. It’s so important to have teachers that care about our children. My children have had excellent teachers through the years.
That was such a sweet thing for everyone to do as a class. I definitely think classrooms are more than just places for schoolwork.
So sad that a child you knew lost their life to cancer so young. But good to know there are schools and teachers that care enough to memorialize these catastrophic losses in such a beautiful way.
I not only had a daughter who attended Catholic school but I taught at a Catholic school as well. It was such a fulfilling and uplifting experience for both of us. We felt like we could express our faith and express our feelings so much more than at other schools.
I am glad your teachers taught you kindness and compassion in Catholic school. Kindness and compassion will never do you or others wrong.
Catholic schools seem to provide such a well-rounded experience. They allow kids to go beyond just the academics and really delve into other areas to fully develop their personalities.
Beautiful post. Teachers play a huge part in our lives.
A good teacher will make all of the difference for kids. I do think that most teachers really are good and have kids best interest in mind.
I went to Catholic schools growing up and I enrolled my children in them as well. The teachers and staff at my son’s elementary school were the best. I think that having faith integrated daily in the school helps children become my compassionate and kind.
What a powerful story mama! I owe so much to the lessons I’ve learned from my friends growing up.
There were no catholic schools where I went to school but I did learn many life lessons from the variety of wonderful teachers I had.
I just read the story of your friend who passed away when you were in grade 6. I’m so sorry for your loss. I went to Catholic school in elementary and high school. I wish my elementary school teachers were better but my high school ones were good.
No matter what school system, teachers can make such a huge difference in kids’ lives.
I think my kids’ teachers in elementary school have tried their best to teach caring and compassion in their class. I have been impressed with most (not all) of them.
Thank you for sharing that story. That is so moving and beautiful. I’m sorry for your loss – even if it was so long ago, and I am glad that your teacher had a heart big enough to help the children in your community/class to heal. <3
Excellent blog post! Couldn’t agree more!
Awesome article! Empathy is so important to teach and inspire in early childhood. I’m an ECE teacher and can’t promote it enough!
It’s so nice to hear good things about Catholic schools. Thanks for sharing.