The 3 C's Catholic, Christ and Cursive

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I was reminded this morning why I serve in a Catholic School.  On the way home from driving my daughter and her friends to volunteer for Vacation Bible School, I heard an extremely disturbing story being retold by a 6th grade school teacher.  I will give you the abbreviated version. 

 Basically, it was 8 months into the school year and the class was reviewing for an exam by answering questions the teacher was writing on the board in cursive.  One of her students, a young man, raised his hand and said "I can't read that curvy writing."  Her response was "you mean to tell me you have been in my class all year and never mentioned that you can't read "curvy writing?""  He confirmed that he could not read cursive and she continued to question him mockingly.  Her last comment to the young man was "Don't worry son, you won't need to be able to read curvy writing on the cash register at Walmart!" 

The teacher admitted she should not have spoken that way.  She even admitted that what she said was horrible.  However, she justified what she said, saying that she is a caring compassionate teacher.  If he would have just come to her she would have worked with him during recess and after school.

My question is, how did that student go 8 months without the teacher knowing he could not read cursive?  What was the responsibility of the teacher?

In scripture, our God says that we can do all things through Him.  What message did this teacher send to this young man?  As a teacher, we should empower our students and encourage them to soar to great heights and experience success.  I wonder what has become of this young man.

As an educator in a Catholic school, I am thankful that our teachers can use God's words to empower and encourage our students.  What would have happened to this young man if his teacher had said "I am here to help you.  Through Christ all things are possible!"

Viva La France

Today was Bastille Day.  For those of you who don't know what Bastille Day is, it is the French Independence Day (similar to our 4th of July).  My paternal grandparents were French and from a young age I remember my grandfather discussing his French heritage.  For a graduation present from high school, he sent me on a trip to France - an experience I have treasured!  Needless to say, I have a special place in my heart for France, their customs and cultures and treasure that part of my ancestry.

Today, in celebration of the rich French culture in LA, our new church pastor celebrated the Mass in French.  After Mass some family friends came over for a brunch of French Cuisine.  As I savored the specialness of today, I also paused to think of our Catholic Church as Universal.  To think that my French friends and French family celebrated Mass with the same readings and rituals as I did today truly makes me realize how amazaing and far reaching the message of our Catholic Faith is.  As I go into my school and work with my teachers to evangelize our Catholic faith to our young students I know we are doing one of the many things God calls us to do.

Tomorrow we will welcome 20 new teachers into our school as we begin a new teacher orientation.  May they, too, realize the importance of our Catholic faith and that their evangelization is helping to perpetuate the Universal  Church.

God is in Control?!

"You are the master of your destiny. 

You can influence, direct and control your own environment. 

You can make your life what you want it to be."

Everyday I receive e-mails containing motivational quotes from two different websites.  Today, one included the quote above and the other included the quote below.

Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4

As I read both, I couldn't help but think about the children and families we serve everyday.  More and more students and families  are coming to us with the attitude that they are the masters of their destiny.  Yes, God gives us free will to make choices but does that mean we are in control?  

In stark contrast the verse from Isaiah, tells us that God is in control!  Can we even imagine our schools if our children and families our teachers and even us (administrators) had faith that God truly is in control?  

Thinking back to times when I was overwhelmed, felt lost and hopeless, had to initiate a difficult discussion, comforted a sad student, and/or had to make a serious decision, I know that God was there.  He sustained me, carried me and rescued me.  He gave me the words I needed and let me  know that He had planned everything.  Looking back He was right! 

The challenge now, is to remember, while in the throws of those difficult times, that God is in control - that he is right.  Again, can we even imagine what our schools would be like, if we all let God "take the wheel?"

Life Liberty and the Pursuit of ...Catholic Education

As I celebrated the Fourth of July with my family today, it was hard not to think about one of the fundamental reasons people chose to come to America...religious freedom.  It saddens me that God has been taken from our schools but I am so very thankful that Catholic Education is such an important focus of our Catholic Faith.

Reliance on God and my Catholic Faith is evident everyday in my job as an assistant principal of a Catholic school.  The smiles on the children's faces, the crucifixes in the classrooms, the many times we pray throughout the day, celebrations of Mass, retreats, Rosaries, and the sheer fact that we can discuss the teachings of Jesus and use them as a framework for teaching serve as reminders that God is ever present.  I for one, cannot even imagine tackling some of the difficult things I encounter in my job without God.  We, Catholic eductors are the lucky ones!

As I close, I again think of the words of Mother Theresa...

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. "Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it."

Our forefathers did just that, they fought for our life, our right to be Catholic and share our rich Catholic heritage with those whose lives we have been entrusted with.

A Day In the Life of an Assistant Principal

July 3, 2013

July 1 marked the anniversary of my 4th year as a Catholic elementary school assistant  principal.  In many ways that day seems as though it happened yesterday!

As I reflect back on this journey, only those who have enjoyed a career in this position would fully understand the magnitude and benefits of this job.

Here's just a glimpse of  what has been accomplished in 4 years!

• 8 handbook revisions
• 68 teacher interviews
• 27  hires
• 87 Masses
• 4 First Reconciliations
• 4 First Communions
• 4 8th grade graduations
• 50 faculty meetings
• 216 Evening meetings
• Ministered to over 1500 families, over  3000 parents, over 2300 students, over 180 faculty and staff 
• 210 parent conferences
• Moved 1000 boxes
• Put band-aids on over 200 boo boos
• Mopped floors
• Cleaned tables
• Served over 100 lunches
• Read  almost 1000 lesson plans
• Conducted approximately 400 teacher observations
• Answered over 1000 telephone call
• Ordered 23,000 pounds of materials, supplies, and furniture
• Ordered over 8000 textbooks

Looking back, it seems overwhelming and I must admit there were days that were.  However, no days before, and I expect no days that occur after this career (except for my experience as a wife and mother), will ever be as joy filled, rewarding, and fulfilling as my days as an assistant principal of a Catholic school.  

As Mother Theresa of Calcutta said "Do small things with great love"  and that is just what has happened, this vocation has filled me with love that I, in turn, can give back to those I serve.