Scottish Catholic Observer

LAST month, more than 100 young Catholics attended two events about what it means to be a Catholic teacher. Several trainee Catholic teachers told the school pupils just what is great about the job.

Danielle Healy

The vocation to become a Catholic teacher has always been something permanent for me. The importance that I saw, even from a young age, was the values that Catholic teaching brings to the ethos and community of the school.

The most fundamental importance I see in the vocational role of Catholic teaching is the spiritual development with everyone. It is not only our pupils whom we nourish and help to grow, it also affects us as we constantly reflect on our own spiritual journey as well.

Although curricula and school policies are always changing, my Faith has always been something that I could fall back on to stay grounded and the messages I have understood from it have always stayed clear to me.

However, as we also change our methods of learning and teaching, the messages left by God, through Christ, have never wavered in their teachings.

This has strengthened my attitude to the vocation as one of helping to deliver those messages to the younger generation to which they themselves will understand the vocations God has chosen for them.

I believe that God has a special, loving plan or vocation for us all and I believe that it is us who not only need to hear the call for Catholic teaching but respond to it as well.

John Dunlop

If we, as a community of Faith in Scotland, wish our community to grow, thrive and make a positive difference to the world around us, then Catholic teachers are essential in reaching that goal. The opportunity to be a leading example to children and young people, whether that is through being a primary or secondary school teacher, is a challenging but rewarding vocation.

My own experience of teaching so far has been wholly positive, and I have enjoyed working first of all in my year one primary placement, and then in two different secondary schools.

I have realised that, through these experiences, young people depend upon positive role models in their lives, and teachers can be this role model, not only through what they teach, but the manners they present and how they treat all members of staff and all pupils.

Teachers who live according to the example of our Lord Jesus Christ set in the Gospels, who reached out to all he met—particularly those most in need—will set the best possible visible example of how living as a Catholic should be every day.

I look forward with great excitement to having the privilege of making a positive difference to many young people’s lives in the future.

Lynn Armstrong

I feel that teaching is an extremely important and hugely influential vocation to be a part of. Teaching is essential for every child and adult. It allows them to participate in all the world can offer and be part of a community.

Teaching is important for children as the world changes day by day and it is the job of the teacher to prepare them.

The strength of every profession within our country depends on the skills and qualities that the children learn whilst at school. Teachers help to instil these skills and qualities in the children in preparation for leaving into the wider community. Catholic teaching is important for the children as it creates a community for the children to be raised among. This community consists of people who share similar beliefs and who can help care for each other.

Catholic teaching creates a bond between the home, the school and the parish. This could be referred to as the three-legged stool of Catholic teaching.

These three components work together to ensure that the child is receiving the best education possible whilst also learning about their Faith in a safe environment.

Catholic education and the vocation of Catholic teaching dates to the One who is the Beginning. Teachers are called by the One who is the heart of what they teach.

God is the source of inspiration for Catholic teachers as He was first and foremost a teacher Himself. He chose the title of ‘teacher’ and now His work continues through those whom He calls to be teachers now.

We teach the children because we are Catholic, not because they are Catholic. All teachers care for their students because they feel a calling to awaken them to the realisation of Christ’s love for them and the demand of the Gospel that they take their own talents and use them to express their love for others.

For me this what the vocation of a Catholic teacher is all about.

Rachel Haxton

Catholic teaching is important to me because I would like to pass on the value of Faith to the next generations of children and young people.

I believe, as a future Catholic Religious Education teacher, it is essential for me to possess a ‘commitment to uphold the moral teaching, Faith tradition and Sacramental life of the Catholic Church,’ as highlighted in the SCES Charter for Catholic schools.

Moreover, I view Catholic teaching as a vocation—a calling to walk in the footsteps of Christ and continue His work: “You call me teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am.” (John 13:13).

Furthermore, Catholic teaching is significant in supporting children in developing as a ‘whole’ person throughout their Faith journey. Pupils are taught the meaning of the Gospel values and how those values can make an impact in their lives. Catholic teaching also enables Catholic schools to assist parents who wish for their children to receive an education which thrives and prides itself on the teaching of the Church.

Catholic education is therefore vital in ensuring Catholic schools promote education and celebration in regards to life and Faith, as well as action and social justice.

Maria Glencross

From a young age I have always wanted to become a teacher but it was not until sixth year in high school when I thought about Catholic teaching. Now when I think about this I know that it is my vocation from God, to develop children’s understanding and love of their Faith. In my church I have noticed dwindling numbers of children attending Mass and other services, and often the children do not look like they are enjoying themselves.

One thing that I would like to do when I become a Catholic teacher is to teach children that it is ‘cool to be Catholic’ and to eradicate children’s opinions that religion can be ‘boring.’

Through making RE lessons fun for children, I hope that this will make children more willing to come to church and enjoy themselves there.

A main aim for myself when I become a Catholic teacher will be to teach children to be kind, forgiving, to respect one another and, if they do things wrong, ask, ‘What would Jesus do.’ This message can help children to connect with Christ on a personal level; enabling children to learn how to live as Jesus did.