A new school year at our Catholic schools is underway. It is an exciting time filled with much anticipation. From the itty-bitty little ones to the more mature high school students and beyond, a new school year always brings a zest and thrill. As college freshmen descend on their dorms this fall, many will hear the same question over and over that we all vividly remember, “What is your major?” For some, it is an easy question sparking a quick response such as nursing, engineering, or perhaps cybersecurity. For others, it may still be unanswered and produce some anxiety.
For me, the answer came rather quickly. After my first semester at the University of Maryland, I declared journalism as my major. It seemed like the perfect route for me as I aspired to write one day for The Washington Post. Quickly, I discovered that aspirations don’t always match reality, especially when the country is experiencing an economic downturn in the form of a recession. Fortunately, I was able to find a job in my field. Not at The Washington Post, but across the street as an editorial assistant for a health association is where I landed.
For a while, this job had all the makings of a perfect fit. The opportunity to ride the Metro into the nation’s capital every day and be part of the hustle and bustle was initially glamorous. Lunches across the street from the White House in Lafayette Park and happy hours after work with friends provided some fun times.
However, as the weeks and months passed, something slowly crept in and got me thinking. As I reflect back, I now know it was one of those Godwinks, something I could have interpreted as a simple coincidence, but actually it was a sign from above. I tried to ignore those inner stirrings for a while; however, I soon had to admit that working solely with words my entire life didn’t spark the same energy it once had. I craved more.
After about a year at the health association, an opportunity to backpack through Europe for the summer surfaced. A friend was spending the summer traveling abroad and asked me to join him. To my mom’s dismay, I jumped at the invitation. What a summer! One I will never forget. Without a doubt, travel is one of the best experiences; however, I returned home without a job and with the lingering question, “What do I want to do when I grow up?”
Networking through friends and friends of friends did not yield any productive leads. Our country was still going through the aftermath of a recession, so it was not exactly the best time for job hunting. One day I met Msgr. Thomas Wells, a close family friend, for lunch to recap my travels and see if he might have some ideas. Of course, if you knew Msgr. Wells, he always had ideas and was never timid to let you know. He didn’t hesitate or hold back when the conversation shifted from travel to jobs. I distinctly remember his words, “Teach, you are the oldest of six, you are a natural-born teacher.”
With three weeks before the start of that school year, I acted on those words. St. Bernard’s School in Riverdale was looking for a middle school language arts teacher, so I pursued it. Two days after interviewing with Sister Vivian, the principal at the time, she called and offered me the job. Without hesitation, I accepted.
Teaching in a Catholic school offers something money can’t buy. It isn’t always easy to explain to someone when they pose the question, “Why don’t you just teach in a public school, so you can make more money?” There is something special that happens in the heart and soul when one decides to teach in a Catholic school and remains in that educational setting year after year.
Beyond the academics, educators in a Catholic school have the unique opportunity to integrate faith into all facets of the school day from classroom management to curriculum to behavior. Even in small ways such as a squabble on the playground between friends, I can talk about how the Lord wants us to treat each other. We can pray together whether it is about our families, our friends, or our world. Christian values permeate classrooms in a Catholic school and serve as the cornerstone for faith formation. When life gets tough as it does for everyone from time to time, helping little ones learn about their faith so they can live it out is a gift.
Teaching isn’t always easy, but the sense of community that prevails in a Catholic school supports all the tough days. Whether it is between colleagues or between faculty and families, strong communities exist. That community stays focused on loving and serving the Lord. Helping each other pave the way to heaven through simple acts of kindness is something I treasure. Having taught in five different schools across the Archdiocese of Washington, strong communities are a hallmark of Catholic schools.
I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to teach in Catholic schools and cannot imagine a better way!
(Judy Jenkins is a teacher and administrator at St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Rockville, Maryland and previously taught at St. John the Baptist School in Silver Spring and St. Patrick’s School in Rockville.)
