St. John the Baptist Teacher Training Workshop
“This, then, is our task: to educate ourselves and our children in Godliness.” -St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Ephesians
An account of the Teacher Training Workshop presented February 24, 2006 and February 25, 2006 at St. John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church in Post Falls Idaho. When I discovered the availability of hosting a Teacher Training Workshop, I was immediately filled with the yearning to have this workshop at our parish. At St. John’s we have many dedicated teachers and assistants who dedicate themselves each week to the instruction of our students. At our staff meeting I asked the staff if they were interested in a workshop to expand their training and understanding of the OCEC curriculum. Everyone responded positively. With our priest’s blessing, I proceeded to contact Khouria Linda Funk who is the teacher trainer for our area. With her assistance a workshop was immediately arranged. This was a Pan-Orthodox event and all area churches were invited. Some participants traveled long distances and stayed in hotel rooms. It was similar to a mini-retreat. Our workshop consisted of three units, Overview of Orthodoxy, Introduction to Teaching and Orientation to Curriculum. Many of our teachers are seasoned teachers who teach in the public school system or home school their children, but some staff had never taught before. We are blessed to have a gifted group of teachers who care about the salvation of children. St. Theophan the Recluse said that of all the Holy Works, the education of children is the most holy. I am happy we had the workshop. I would recommend this workshop for all parishes to experience. Everyone learned and benefited from the Overview of Orthodoxy unit. I think it’s similar to rereading the same bible verse over and over and then once more and a light comes on and one sees it in a different way. I enjoyed the presentation and style of the unit. Presbytera Linda taught us to teach the life giving beauty of Orthodoxy to our students. As a group, our understanding of God, life, death and salvation was deepened because of this unit. We discussed worship, scripture, spirituality and morality. We enjoyed many group activities and had fun. We focused on the love that God has for all. Introduction to Teaching was filled with planning and management ideas and tips. We learned what the role of an Orthodox Christian educator is; To not only impart knowledge but to also encourage spiritual growth in our students. The new strategies and classroom management techniques will breathe new life into our classrooms. We learned the different ways that students learn, which way is most effective and how to utilize our time to benefit the students needs and satisfy our objective. Our final unit was Orientation to Curriculum. At our parish we use the OCEC curriculum and have for several years. My goal was to utilize this material to it’s fullest, and glean the most I could out of it. We broke into small groups of grade levels to focus on the grade level we teach. The new text, The Way, The Truth, and The Life was explained in detail. The session was very informative because it showed new perspective on the curriculum. The program holds out two hands to every student. One is knowledge of the faith – At the end of the year each student should know what the movements of the Holy Spirit are. The intent is to assist the students with their journey toward God. The other hand held out is the practical living of the faith. To take home assignments and do at home what is taught in class. Preparation and prayer are the most important aspects to teaching. I’m so glad that our priest allowed us to hold this workshop. I am thankful that Presbytera Linda was able to travel here to Post Falls, Idaho and enlighten the staff at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church. I’m reminded of the quote I recently read, “Beloved Christians, you and your children shall appear at that Judgment of Christ, and you shall give account for them to the just Judge. He will not ask you whether you have taught your children the arts or whether you have taught them to speak French, or German, or Italian, but whether you have taught them to live as Christians.” – Tikhon of Zadonsk So, if anyone wonders if they should have a Teacher Training Workshop or attend one, they should do it, God willing. Humbly Submitted by Michelle Fellegy