{"id":2389,"date":"2011-02-05T05:03:58","date_gmt":"2011-02-05T13:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/?p=2389"},"modified":"2011-02-04T22:56:02","modified_gmt":"2011-02-05T06:56:02","slug":"teach-them-something-that-lasts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/teach-them-something-that-lasts","title":{"rendered":"Teach Them Something That Lasts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Note: The following reflection was written for Catholic Schools Week 2011 as part of a series for ACE Advocates for Catholic Schools<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"HolyWhen I taught Amy she was a bright, athletic, beaming eighth grader. She loved her older sister, her younger brother, and playing soccer. A short two years later, her body was ravaged by leukemia, and after a long and valiant battle, she passed away. Attending her funeral was one of the most difficult things I\u2019ve ever done. And yet, though it was many years ago, I still remember the theme of the homily: Amy\u2019s life is changed, not ended.<\/p>\n

I sometimes imagine Amy looking down from heaven and saying to me, \u201cThese students you teach will not be here forever. Teach them something that lasts.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that, indeed, is the mission of Catholic schools: to teach something that lasts. Not for a decade. Not for a generation. But forever. As a guest speaker once told our faculty, \u201cOur calling is to get students into Heaven, not Harvard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not that Catholic schools don\u2019t care about providing a rigorous education. Any of numerous studies will tell you that Catholic schools provide an outstanding academic foundation–high graduation rates and top scores on standardized tests. However, what Catholic schools uniquely offer our children is the one thing that lasts: the opportunity to develop in their relationship with Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

In a culture that increasingly marginalizes religion, Catholic schools keep faith at the forefront. Each day students witness the lived faith of a believing community and learn how Christ permeates every aspect of life. From learning about Catholic contributions in science to exploring religious themes in literature, from daily school prayer to weekly school liturgies, Catholic schools offer students an ongoing invitation to recognize God in their lives.<\/p>\n

Catholic schools give students the x-ray glasses they need to see through the false promises of our culture. Catholic schools give students the hearing aids they need to listen the voice of the Holy Spirit in their own lives. Catholic schools give students the inner compass they need to find their way to their true home.<\/p>\n

Life is beautiful, but all too short. I advocate for Catholic schools because Catholic schools offer students an education that lasts a lifetime…and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Note: The following reflection was written for Catholic Schools Week 2011 as part of a series for ACE Advocates for Catholic Schools. When I taught Amy she was a bright, athletic, beaming eighth grader. She loved her older sister, her younger brother, and playing soccer. A short two years later, her body was ravaged by … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Teach Them Something That Lasts”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15,24,11],"tags":[90,8],"class_list":["post-2389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-spirituality","category-teaching-tips","tag-catholic-schools-week","tag-inspiration"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/prZ8V-Cx","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":319,"url":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/top-5-reasons-to-send-your-child-to-a-catholic-school-now","url_meta":{"origin":2389,"position":0},"title":"Top 5 Reasons to Send Your Child to a Catholic School Now","author":"Deacon Nick","date":"February 20, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"With the economy in rough shape, the National Catholic Education Association recently asked the question, \"Why send your child to a Catholic school in these difficult economic times?\" Here are the top five answers from the Elementary Department's Executive Committee: It's all about value. Nowhere else can you get Catholic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/category\/feature"},"img":{"alt_text":"Catholic Classroom","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Holy-Trinity-CLASS-NEW1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Holy-Trinity-CLASS-NEW1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/02\/Holy-Trinity-CLASS-NEW1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":702,"url":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/why-teach-in-a-catholic-school","url_meta":{"origin":2389,"position":1},"title":"Why Teach in a Catholic School?","author":"Deacon Nick","date":"April 12, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"So you've landed a job interview at a Catholic school, and you're trying to prepare. What will they ask you? How should you respond? I've interviewed dozens of applicants over the years, and one of the questions we often ask is, \"Why do you want to work in a Catholic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/category\/feature"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/Jesus_Christ-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":403,"url":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/evangelizing-the-privileged","url_meta":{"origin":2389,"position":2},"title":"Evangelizing the Privileged","author":"Deacon Nick","date":"March 1, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"A common myth about Catholic schools is that they cater to the elite and wealthy. While this is not true, there are in fact many Catholic schools whose students come from privileged families. If you happen to teach in such a school, be sure to read Laura's post at Catholic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Catechesis"","block_context":{"text":"Catechesis","link":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/category\/catechesis"},"img":{"alt_text":"Catholic Teacher Musings","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/03\/picture-2-150x150.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2909,"url":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/catholic-school-teacher-begins-career-with-miracle","url_meta":{"origin":2389,"position":3},"title":"Catholic School Teacher Begins Career with Miracle","author":"Deacon Nick","date":"January 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the great pleasures of teaching in Catholic schools is the inspiration I receive daily from my colleagues. It's a privilege to work with such dedicated, faith-filled people who tirelessly strive to build up the Kingdom of God. One of those witnesses to faith is my teaching partner, Kolleen\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/category\/news"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kolleen Murray","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/Kolleen.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":984,"url":"http:\/\/www.nicksenger.com\/csc\/make-a-difference-teach-in-a-catholic-school","url_meta":{"origin":2389,"position":4},"title":"Make a Difference \u2013 Teach in a Catholic School","author":"Deacon Nick","date":"April 26, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"If you're graduating with a teaching degree this Spring, I hope you consider applying at Catholic schools. 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