|
Our teachers are the backbone of our Sunday morning Religious Education
Program. They are the adult presence transmitting our religion to
our young people in a caring and knowledgeable way. Most teachers
have been teaching for years and know the curricula and the projects.
Very active children are welcome as are children with disabilities;
our teachers have experience dealing with a vide variety of children.
Each year parents and non-parents volunteer to join teaching
teams of four teachers. Teams allow an easier schedule for busy
people and bring more varied views to the classroom. Teacher orientation
and training days are held in the Fall and Winter and anyone is
welcome to attend. Teachers are supported by the Director of Religious
Education and the Religious Education Committee for Youth and work
with professionally designed curricula and experienced senior teachers
with long experience.
In our cooperative program, we are the teachers. This is
a gift and not a burden. Teaching is the best way to learn and working
with children is a way to advance on your own spiritual journey.
No previous experience is necessary to be a teacher, you need not
even be a parent. We do ask that you have been a member of our congregation
for a year or more so we can get to know you. At least two teacher
trainings are offered each year, and most parents will have
been a helper or substitute during the year, and will know something
about how we do things. We make every effort to pair new teachers
with experienced ones to help both learn. You can even try
teaching for a few weeks to see how you like it. When you are
ready to be a teacher for a year or two, or even to help out as
needed, we will ask you to fill out a RE Volunteer Form and and
to find time to meet with the RE Committee and the Director of Religious
Education.
Our teachers are ready to grow with their students, are ready to
listen and learn from the wisdom of the young. As our teachers will
tell you, they have learned as much and perhaps more than the students
who shared this experience with them.
|
