Pamela Kennedy >> "The door opens and the girls, laughing teenagers, enter the room, comparing notes on who called whom last night, what the physics assignment was and who's going to the dance next weekend. Religion teacher
She teaches St. Andrew's Priory
School students about ethics and morality"Within minutes, however, they're earnestly discussing the paradox between the concept of a loving God and the inequality and pain in the world. And perhaps more importantly, what they can do about it. One suggests life is all a random series of events; another vehemently counters that it all boils down to choices-made by governments, by social classes, by individuals.
"It's my classroom and I have the privilege of sparking debates like these, guiding and refereeing discussions and hopefully helping these girls become women who will make decisions wisely and based more on ethics and morality than convenience or emotion.
"At St. Andrew's Priory School I use a variety of resources to challenge my students to think more deeply about how their faith impacts their lives and the lives of others. We might begin with Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, read an excerpt from a newspaper article, view a clip from a film about the Holocaust and then revisit the issue of what it means to be a neighbor. And more importantly, what each person can do to become a better neighbor. The students' ideas and insights bubble up like spring water.
"I've taught a variety of subjects, but none offers the reward of religion, where life and faith intersect and young people, some for the first time, begin to understand that what they believe is the most critical factor in how they live.
"I think I was destined to be a teacher. I recall coming home from kindergarten, lining up my dolls and stuffed bears and teaching them what I had learned that day in school. By the time I was in fifth grade, I was rounding up the neighborhood kids for summertime "story hours" in my back yard. I'd read aloud picture books from the library, then hold an impromptu quiz. Everybody who answered correctly got a Life Saver. I suspect summer boredom and candy drew more kids than my magnificent teaching skills, but I didn't care. By the time I started high school I knew I wanted to teach English, and eight years later, after graduating from the University of Washington, I couldn't wait to have my own classroom.
"Marriage to a Navy officer kept me moving from place to place, but there were always opportunities to teach; in public schools, private schools, at church, adult night classes, women's community Bible studies.
"Teaching has allowed me to cross boundaries of age and culture, to be a lifelong learner, and to appreciate the affirmation of Henry Brooks Adams: 'A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.' "
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