And so we fight on

If you ask a teacher (especially at a Catholic school) why he/she went into education, I guarantee you it wasn't for the money. If it was, then that person is either pulling your leg or needs to have his/her head examined. Instead, many teachers would likely share some sentiment about wanting to make a difference or wanting to work with young people.

It's selfless and noble, if you think about it. We need more people in our world with such desire.

The challenge with this idea, though, is that there are many days that leave teachers feeling frustrated, disheartened, or downright defeated. Students (and parents) question your decisions, valuable class time is lost, students don't turn in their homework...

And teachers think,

Did anything I say stick with them today? 

Am I actually a good teacher? 

I don't get paid enough for this...

I was going through some of these same thoughts after a few episodes with one class in particular this week. (And I was even absent from school on Tuesday, so I didn't even see my students that day.) I had just made a concentrated effort to help students learn about the Mass, and I overheard some of them this morning excited that they didn't have to go due to the fact that it was canceled because of inclement weather. Talk about disheartening...

But, as I was sitting at my desk this afternoon, I had the urge to pick up the Holy Cross prayer book I was given through my grad school program, and I turned to today's reflection. Here it is in part:

If the book would have fallen on my head I don't think I would have gotten the message any clearer. The reflection says that "we will make a difference if we have the devotion, the generosity, and the faith..." (emphasis added) We have to trust in God that we are right where we need to be and to respond to this understanding with surrender and love.

So, yes, there will be times when students just don't seem to get it or when we go through things for the seemingly twentieth time. But they really do hear...and the seeds are being planted. It's definitely important to remind ourselves of this from time to time.

I was also reminded that none of us works in isolation to make a difference - together with parents, fellow teachers (past, present, and future), their classmates, and others, we are all part of a much bigger picture. It's truly a team effort. 

Catholic school teachers make a difference, yes, but it's not about a difference for our own purposes, for we are only able to do that which God makes us able to do.We are making a difference in terms of building up the Kingdom of God.

So, to all of my Catholic teacher and leader friends, keep fighting the good fight - our students are saints in the making!

Chose or Chosen?

Last weekend the ND campus (well, at least the ACE office) was filled with the ACE 20 graduates and their families. On Saturday, a graduation Mass was held in the Basilica. Marisa and I were invited to sing for it, and I am so glad we went.

Afterwards, pizza was given to the choir, as we had not had the chance to grab dinner at the dining hall due to practice. I engaged in conversation with the ACE 22 teacher next to me - it turns out he will be going to one of the new sites at Peoria, IL, for his placement. What started out as a light comment soon became a very interesting conversation - I asked him if he chose ACE or if ACE chose him. He gave a little laugh and actually picked the latter.

It turns out that during his senior year he had served as a research assistant for Fr. Sean McGraw, CSC, the co-founder of ACE. Meanwhile, he cantored at the Sunday Basilica Masses, where Fr. Joe Corpora, CSC (the one who founded my ACE school and who is leading the charge for improving Latino enrollment in Catholic schools), often celebrated. It seemed as if the stars were aligning - both invited him to take a look at the ACE program and to consider becoming part of it. "What would you teach?" Fr. Sean asked him, to which he replied, "calculus." And I think he's doing that...along with some other high school math courses.

Pretty neat story, huh? I sat listening in awe of his story. And I thought about all of the other ACErs too - how many of them have a similar story to tell?

And what about myself and other ACErs of old? Is it mere coincidence that I had ACE teachers back in high school? Is it coincidental that many ACErs have parents or siblings in the field of education?

I have to believe that coincidence is not the right term here - no, it's not even close. I fully believe in the guiding hand of God, the breath of the Holy Spirit.

At least in my book, there's no other explanation possible...