Summer 2023Mission, Catholic Identity and the Law

img1Mission, Catholic Identity and the Law
Connecting With Our StudentsBy Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, J.D., Ph.D.As we begin a new school year, it is easy to wonder what law has to do with mission and identity. The law provides a framework for all of Catholic education. We present ourselves as a Catholic school community and we welcome students, parents, faculty and our various constituencies to our classrooms and to our programs.What do mission and Catholic identity mean in the context of a Catholic school? What do they mean for connecting with our students? If someone asked me what Catholic identity means, how would I answer? The beginning of the school year is a good time to reflect on Catholic identity and our legal, ethical and moral responsibilities as Catholic educators.Legally we present ourselves as an educational and spiritual community. As in any community, we have roles to assume, responsibilities to meet and goals to accomplish.Academics are primary. We strive to provide an academically excellent education. That is one of our main responsibilities, alongside our spiritual responsibilities. How do I keep myself up to date and growing professionally, personally and spiritually? Learning is a lifelong task and we need to ensure that our students see us as lifelong learners. Is there something a student could teach you and your class? Consider taking the learner role for a class period.As a Catholic community, we are a spiritual as well as a learning community. Everything we do should rise from our sense of spiritual community. The National Benchmarks give us guidance in our day-to-day ministry. We are told that we are to provide a rigorous academic environment in a faith-filled community.img2So practically, what does this mean? How do we do it? We are back to school with updated lesson plans and high hopes to provide an academically sound, even superior education. To what do we commit ourselves, as we want good educator/student/teacher/parent/administrator/pastor relationships? Keeping in mind our responsibilities to provide an academically sound, even superior education, to what do we commit ourselves as Catholic educators?The following are some “suggestions” for our teacher/student/parent/colleague relationships in the new year:

Pray for your school community — administrators, colleagues, school parents and most of all, my students.

Be true to the teachings of the Catholic Church. We are Catholic school teachers, providing an education that is both Catholic and academically excellent. Whatever my personal doubts and concerns are, they do not belong in my classroom. I am a minister of the Catholic faith and a representative of the Catholic Church.

Each student is a unique manifestation of God’s love. We need to treat each one as that manifestation and to reverence the grace within him or her. Even when our patience is tried and we are wondering how we will make it through the day or week, strive to appreciate your students and to recommit to meeting their academic and spiritual needs each day.

Each student has a claim on our time and attention. While we may be particularly drawn to some students, we must remember that we are responsible for each student and for the teacher/student relationship with each one of them. Strive for a strong, supportive relationship with each student. The quiet student who seldom speaks may have insights that will remain unspoken if we don’t invite the student into our discussions.

Look for ways to relate to the student who seldom smiles or offers any input in class. How can you encourage participation?

Encourage your coworkers. They experience the same pressures you do. Sometimes a smile, a kind word or a simple greeting can make a huge difference in someone’s day.

Support your school and parish administrators. If you have concerns or disagree with a decision, make those concerns known privately. Little is solved by discussing issues with persons not directly involved. When in public, be positive.

Each child is worthy of your time and personal attention academically and spiritually. Strive to have a good student/teacher relationship with each of your students. Avoid favoritism. It is natural to be drawn to some students and perhaps not so much to others, but we have an obligation to each one of our students.

When it is necessary to correct behavior, try to act as Jesus would. Kindly point out what is less than acceptable, assign consequences as appropriate and welcome the student back into your “good graces.”

Pray for your students, their parents, your colleagues and yourself. Don’t forget to ask Jesus’ guidance as you begin each day and at points during the day. At the end of the day, review your actions and ask for God’s continued help.

Keep negative comments about your students, their parents and your colleagues out of your conversations. As a colleague of mine once said “Let’s stop serving the students up for lunch (conversation) during Lent.” Let’s find other topics of conversation than the shortcomings of our students.

Take care of yourself and your family. If you neglect self and family, your ministry to your students will be affected as well.

Try to learn something new every day. You are learning and growing, just as your students are, and it is appropriate that they see you exhibit enthusiasm for learning.

Keep up professionally. Read professional journals, attend workshops and take advantage of in-service offerings.

Do something for yourself every day. No matter how small the action, you will be practicing self-care. Your students will notice and, hopefully, practice self-care as well.

Support your students’ parents as much as you can. Never criticize parents to their children or any students. Your students’ parents, no matter how stressed or problem-ridden, are the only parents the child has.

Support the administration. You do not have to agree with every decision, but you need to support the principal’s actions. Just as we expect our student to support us and follow our directions, administrators have the right to expect our support and compliance. When you disagree with a decision, be willing to sit down with the principal and discuss the situation.

Remember that our behavior outside school can affect our reputation inside the school. Strive to live in a way that gives a good example of a faith-filled disciple of Jesus. Demonstrate that hope and promise every day.

Speak well of your school — its students, teachers, staff and administration. If in a parish school, support the pastor and parish staff. Attempt to resolve differences behind closed doors. The old adage, “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything,” applies.

Pay attention to the child who seems lost. You may be the most positive person for that student on any given day.

Brush up on Catholic school law. It is better to know in advance what is expected, than to try and decide on the spur of the moment.

Be joyful. Our Gospel is one of hope and promise. Our God promises to be with us every step of the way.

Sister Mary Angela Shaughnessy, SCN, J.D., Ph.D.
Angie.Shaughnessy@LMU.edu

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