eflecting on the past 30 plus years of being involved in Catholic education, I have come to the conclusion that there is some truth to the clique “the more things change the more they remain the same.” I came this conclusion after finding a yearbook from the 1973-74 school year. That was the year I was sent out to Canevin High School in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. My assignment was to be the Assistant librarian. This turned into teaching two Junior/ Senior elective courses in the Religion department. After completing my degree work, I joined the English Department.
I started teaching English at a time when Transformational Grammar was the latest thing to try and make the teaching of Grammar more relevant to students. No matter what you try to do, a noun will always be a noun, a verb will always be a verb and a sentence must always have a subject and a verb.
As I flipped through the pages of the yearbook, many of the faces looked like the faces of some of the students I am teaching now. I could take some of the students from today and put them into this yearbook from the 70s. The 70s was the height of the Disco era with the dagger collars, polyester shirts, plaid pants, chest protector ties, huge bow ties and platform shoes. This is a far cry from the khakis pants and button down shirts that I see today. As I continued to look through the pages, I started to put faces with certain behaviors; both positive and negative. Over the years I have heard my share of excuses. It is amazing that the excuses I heard then are still used today. Excuses for not doing Homework, assigned readings, projects or being prepared for class still remain the same and still garner the same reaction.
This just proves that students are still trying to win the war of “get one over on the teacher.” With all of that said, you would wonder why someone would remain in teaching. Why do I stay in teaching? It is simple; it is because of the students. Every year there is something new. Every year I get to experience a new group of students; freshmen and get a chance to introduce them the world of high school English. Every year I get the opportunity to build on the foundation of the upperclassmen and prepare them for a smooth transition into college. Watching students grow in their understanding of grammar, finding their voice through writing, and coming to an appreciation of William Shakespeare. All of these are a challenge that I have found to be very enjoyable. Over the years, I too have learned something. I have learned to be more patient. Though there have been times that I have been tempted to say; “I’ve heard that excuse before; can’t you do any better?” Each year, I get to contribute to my collection of memorable classroom moments.
I am proud of the fact that I get to contribute to the tradition of education that the Friars have been a part of for these many years. There are moments that come to mind some great; some not so great. The not so great moments have been the fact that during this time, several students that I have taught have died. I can’t help but wonder how they would have turned out. The great ones are the fact that there are several students who have been contact with me over the years have let me continue to be a part of their lives. I am proud of them all but most especially those who have chosen to go into education. The most surprising and rewarding are those who are now teaching English. Every once in a while I hear from one who wants to share an interesting story. They have begun to put together their own collection of “memorable class room moments.”
Within each of us is the potential to be a light focusing attention on God's presence in our world. Clare of Assisi's life reveals just how much light she shed.
As a friend and as cofounder of the Franciscan movement, she supported Francis as he discerned God's message for himself and his followers. Together with her sisters, she wrote the first Rule written for religious women by a woman. She modeled the ability for the authority or power of a group to be held by the entire group (collegiality).
Recently, the Franciscan family throughout the world celebrates the 750th anniversary of Clare's death in August 1253. Her life continues to speak to all of us. She challenges us to incorporate simplicity, singleness of purpose and unity within families and communities into the complexity of our 21st-century lives.
Over the next several months Sister Claire André Gagliardi, O.S.C. from the Poor Clare Community in Chesterfield, New Jersey will share with us her insights into the Franciscan Values of Saint Clare.
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"Shaping a Future With Confidence
For the week of May 4
Iraqi refugees deserve our help! “More than 4 million Iraqis have left their homes. Among them, 2.2 million have fled to neighboring states, with the largest numbers in Syria (1.5 million people), Jordan (700,000 people), and Lebanon (50,000 people).”—from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, February 2008.
“All over the world, people flee their homes due to warfare, economic strife, and religious and ethnic persecution. The war in Iraq continues to rage on and thousands live with no security, rights or stability—a situation that destroys families and throws them into a permanent cycle of poverty. We cannot simply hear the cry of the millions displaced because of devastating war, unspeakable acts of genocide, and dehumanizing poverty. We must respond with action. The plight of refugees calls for action by individuals, faith-based groups, non-governmental organizations, and our government.” As the process of forming next year’s federal budget begins, we need to include the plight of refugees among our nation’s moral and political priorities. Contact our Senators (Dick Durbin and Barach Obama) and our Representative (Ray LaHood) to ask for support of increased funding for refugee programs at the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) or through NETWORK Website (www.networklobby.org) –from Connection, March/April 2008.