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A Year in the Life of a Sunday School Teacher: Fantasy or Reality?
by MaryJane Pierce Norton
I recently received a phone call from an elderly member of our church. Last
Sunday the children wrote notes to people on our prayer list, and the woman
who called had received one of the cards. She said, "It just means so much
to me. I've sat and stared at it all day long. When I get back to church, I
want to thank the children for remembering me."
This is why I teach.
Along with the desire to teach, I have a need to be knowledgeable about
what I teach, whom I teach, and how I teach. Now it's hard to imagine not
teaching my Sunday school class. But I still remember what it was like when
I started.
Maybe you'd like to read a few excerpts from a diary of a new Sunday school
teacher. You might find a few hints of what to include in a year-round plan
for teacher support, enrichment, and training. They're just hints because
each church is unique, and each community is unique. The support teachers
need differs because of the church, the community, and the teachers' own
talents and needs. Your mission, if you decide to take it, is to recognize
and list at least 12 ingredients for a year-round plan for teacher
development. Good luck to all who take up the challenge!
May 1996
Dear Diary:
I can't believe it. They've asked me to teach Sunday school! I would never
have dreamed I would be asked to teach. I don't have any children. I sit
quietly at church, and I really don't know that many people. But I've had
the most incredible conversation with the director of Christian education.
She listed what she called my "gifts and graces" for teaching and told me
they really wanted me to teach. The best thing was that she didn't ask me
for a decision on the phone. She told me to think about it, and she invited
me to sit in on the class this Sunday. Can I do it? I don't know, but I'm
sure going to look in on that class!
May 1996
Dear Diary:
Well I saw the Sunday school in action! I'm still not sure I know all I
need to know, but it did look like something I could do--with a little
help. Our director of Christian education said she would meet with all of
us who are considering teaching next week to let us know what the church
would do to support us in teaching. Am I in? Still can't say!
May 1996
Dear Diary:
Looks like I'm going to be a Sunday school teacher! I may not know
everything; but, boy, I sure know more about what is expected of me and the
support I'll receive. Today we received the covenant between the church and
all of us who decide to be Sunday school teachers; a profile of the class
we would be teaching; a schedule of the training offered during the year;
and sheet called "All You Ever Wanted to Know about Teaching Sunday School
in Our Church!" I feel like they've really tried to think about what
matters to me and have tried to answer my questions. Now I wait until time
to teach.
August 1996
Dear Diary:
Today we met at the church to plan for our first three months of teaching.
I was wondering how I would manage a four-hour meeting, but they had
childcare for my children and provided a meal for all of us. We were able
to receive our curriculum, decide on what we needed to set up our room, and
see pictures of those who will be in our class. Did I mention that I don't
have to teach alone? I have two other teachers with me. We're going to try
some different ways of organizing to see what we like best.
September 1996
Dear Diary:
Two Sundays of teaching, and it's absolute bedlam. I didn't really know if
I could keep going. After all, twenty-five teenagers can be overwhelming.
But today I received a call from Mr. Hedden. He used to teach this age
group. He had me laughing about some of the things that happened to him
when he was teaching. He helped me see that things might not be as bad as I
thought. He said he was my "teaching prayer partner." Even though he isn't
teaching this year, he's agreed to pray for me each week as I teach. I can
also call him with questions or simply to talk. I'm not alone!
September 1996
Dear Diary:
I really feel official now. Today was Christian Education Sunday. All of us
who are Sunday school teachers were called to the front of the church. Our
pastor led the congregation in a dedication service; then each teacher was
given a cross to wear. I felt the love and support of everyone gathered
there.
November 1996
Dear Diary:
We've made it to the second quarter. I was dreading the training session
today. There were a million other things I needed to do. But our director
of Christian education called me and encouraged me to come. (Actually she
talked me into it. If I hadn't had a phone call, I might have pretended to
forget.) Again -- childcare and a meal! It helps!
We got some great suggestions from experienced teachers about how to deal
with the holidays. I probably wouldn't have thought about how rushed
everything gets during Advent and Christmas. And although I've watched the
lighting of the candles year after year, I'm glad we received a refresher
on the meaning of the symbols, sights, and sounds of the season -- not to
mention some great activity ideas. Looks like we're set for the next
quarter!
December 1996
Dear Diary:
Although it's not yet Christmas Day, I've felt the Christmas spirit. Some
of the parents helped the children make prayer candles as gifts for the
teachers. My big blue candle has symbols, initials, and designs placed on
it by my class. Every time I light it, I'll think of each of them.
January 1997
Dear Diary:
Just when we were fresh out of ideas, we had a visit from our director
of Christian education. We each got an "idea sheet" with lots of
suggestions for short activities, service projects, and lesson boosters.
The best thing was that each idea included a note about the supplies needed
and where we could find them! Just when we
thought we'd never find another black marker. Maybe we WILL get through the
winter.
February 1997
Dear Diary:
Can you believe it? It's time to plan for spring. I'm glad we had time to
talk together about how we would talk with our students about Jesus' death
and resurrection. It was hard when our director of Christian education
asked us to write out exactly what we believed about Jesus -- his life,
death, and resurrection. I don't think I've ever done anything like that
before. Now I feel better prepared to share my own faith with those I
teach.
March 1997
Dear Diary:
Teacher Appreciation Sunday made me feel great! Our director of Christian
education had recruited substitutes for our class, and all of us who teach
had brunch together. We heard a speaker talk about the importance of
teaching. I found myself nodding my head in agreement as the speaker talked
and mentally making note of things I still wanted to do before my year is
up. Visiting together and talking about experiences also helped.
May 1997
Dear Diary:
I can't believe it's been a year. As we met to plan for the summer, our
director of Christian education reminded us that we had each agreed to
give one year to teaching. She asked that each of us prayerfully consider
whether we wished to continue for another year or stop at one year. I'm
thinking. Maybe I'll try some of the other enrichment opportunities for
teachers. There's a book club for teachers and a Disciple Bible study
group. I just couldn't do everything this year. And thank heavens, our
director of Christian education didn't expect me to do everything, nor did
she make me feel guilty about what I couldn't do. It's been a year for
growing -- for me and for those I teach. Can I do another?
MaryJane Pierce Norton is a director of family ministries at the
General Board of Discipleship. This article has been adapted from the
Spring 1996 issue of Christians in Education, a resource of the Christian
Educators Fellowship. It is used by permission.
Originally posted June 17, 1997
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