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God knows teachers need a faith life, too
by Mary McGrath
Teacher's book helps other public-school teachers' spirituality
Public-school teachers can be spiritual on the job in a variety of ways without worrying about the time-honored "separation of church and state."
The teacher, Mary McGrath notes that spirituality is different for each person, with some expressing it is prayer; others, in quiet times, and others, journaling. For some, spirituality is the sense of confidence that accompanies a life of faith. Whatever it is to the individual, it can provide stability, m give perspective on the lives of students and help teachers stay calm as they educate children'
Excerpt from book by a Burnsville Catholic
God knows teachers need a faith life, too.
Another teacher recently said to me, "I know we are to honor separation of church and state, but actually I pray all day!"
The importance of this separation is so ingrained in us as educators that we often forget that all of who we are accompanies us to the job each working day. Our spirituality unfolds as we express our values and our very being in the school setting.
Spirituality is different for each person. Its acknowledgment is important for our development as whole educators and whole human beings.
Spirituality for some may express itself in prayer. Others prefer quiet times to listen to their inner voice, the inner stirrings of their heart, whereas others make space in their busy schedules to plan, set goals, write in a journal or meditate.
Spirituality manifests itself on the job in many ways. For some, it is the acknowledgment of grace.
Those who sense that movement in their lives and see its results witness many small miracles in the lives of young people. As they observe students grasp a small concept or develop in character and maturity, they give credit to the action of grace in human lives.
Some experience an assurance of invisible support. "Accidentally" meeting a parent in the hall who is just the person they need to see at the time; receiving information at a workshop that perfectly addresses a challenge they are having with a student, or generally sensing an order, meaning and purpose to the events of the workday.
For some, spirituality is the sense of confidence that accompanies a life of faith. It is the congruence of having one's beliefs influence actions and attitudes even in the workplace.
For others, spirituality comes in the form of the values they bring to work. Personal morality and the attempt to transmit such basic values as honesty, caring and respect into their students is important to many.
Spirituality may take the form of altruism that influences professional motivation. Doing good for others is a strong reinforcement to remain in a job that may not provided a great deal of monetary compensation.
Some educators express the spirituality of valuing the beauty of the present. Building for the future by seizing the moment and resolving to make it count, noticing the sight, smells, and the sounds of life and fully experiencing people and events can be highly spiritual for some.
A teacher newsletter included a bulletin board saying, "Life is not a rehearsal but the real thing." Educators who take to heart the concept of living in the present notice small features of life that otherwise might be passed over. They savor experiences that add meaning to the humdrum and routine of life.
From their spirituality, certain educators experience an inner peace that gives stability when the outer world is in flux. This stability gives teachers perspective on the lives of students and the ability to make sound judgments. It helps teachers stay calm in the midst of a student quarrel. It is part of being organized in the classroom as opposed to scattered, anxious and chaotic.
Inner peace eases the worry of tomorrow as we trust that events unfold as they should and we will be equipped to handle whatever comes our way.
Relative to coworkers, spirituality gives educators an extra ability to handle everyday relationships. It allows them to forgive a team member who has offended a student or coworker.
Having a self-awareness and self-correction component of spirituality is challenging and difficult at times but accompanies the ability to say you are sorry or to ask for forgiveness.
Spirituality enables educators to act with respect for others and to put themselves in another's place, helping to make them treat others appropriately.
The ability to reflect personally and together with coworkers on the gift of being in education and to express and be in touch with gratitude for our experiences is part of regular growth in the life of some.
Spirituality may manifest itself in the ability to gain new growth from adversity. By using spiritual perspective, some educators are able to see opportunity and gain confidence rather than being resentful or discouraged about difficult experiences.
For some, spirituality is seeking prayer support when they need assistance. I have a coworker who is a strong asset in that area, and we exchange concerns to bring to prayer regularly. I have called on a senior friend at church who has offered to support my work in that way. My communication with her was general and confidential.
Our school also has a group of mothers who, with the principal's approval, pray for school-related intentions. I took them up on their offer, keeping needs general for confidentiality.
Establishing a prayer network has provided me with personal support, and I have seen results I believe come from the investment of spiritual work into challenging situations.
Some educators express their prayers privately even in the workplace as they bring their simplest needs to a greater power for assistance. Personal prayer may help them turn over a work-related burden, experience guidance in a puzzling situation or experience a change in attitude toward a difficult coworker, administrator, student or parent.
In company with divine assistance, they are able to cope and see positive changes in their work lives.
Another means of spiritual support is the sharing about spirituality with others at work. I am part of an informal network of staff interested in health-oriented spirituality, and we frequently share insights and new ideas by passing articles and exchanging books, tapes and quotes.
For some teachers, belonging to a faith group for educators enhances spirituality. Such groups sometimes are formal and have national roots, while others are informal creations resulting from mutual trust.
Some educators find membership in a religious community or regularly attending a place of worship to be a means of steady spiritual nourishment that sustains them through a week of giving, teaching and modeling for young people.
Other educators are spiritually nourished through nature. For them, the outdoors is where they listen to the stirrings of their heart and renew the spirit.
An administrator once shared with me that often after work she let the day go right into a lake near her home as she walked the trail around it. A secondary teacher in my birding group has chosen not to participate in formal, organized religion. Instead, she regularly spends time outdoors birdwatching, and this has become her way of accessing the creator.
For some, artistic expression enhances and nourishes spirituality. It may be making a carving, musical composition or painting of one's own creation, or using the works of others, whether it be meditative viewing of a painting or sculpture or listening to classical music or a Gregorian chant.
Spirituality is a means to grow and maintain the necessary strength to do the difficult jobs we do. It is different but, important, for each.
It is a multifaceted part of our inner life and also becomes a part of our career expression.
Mary Zabolio McGrath, a member of Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville, teaches emotionally/behaviorally disordered, learning disabled and mentally handicapped students at Ridgeview Elementary School in Bloomington. This is an abridged version of an article that initially appeared as a portion of her book, "Teachers Today: A Guide to Surviving Creatively, " © 1995, Corwin Press, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Corwin Press, Inc.
Used with permission of Corwin Press and Mike Krokos/Editor, The Catholic Spirit. Visitors are free to download and distribute as they please. (Corwin Press).
Permission granted to copy and share this article with others. When printing this article please include attribution and contact information as below.
Reflections Resources, Ltd.
Phone: 952-894-7707 Fax: 952-890-3229
E-Mail: info@maryzmcgrath.com
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