Catholic Education
The calling of the teacher - By Michael McGrath
A Vision of Catholic Education
Catholic schools are at the heart of the Church's mission in the service of society. “The promotion of the human person is the goal of the Catholic School.”
(The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium)
“Catholic schools work to foster the Christian understanding of the human person as made in the image and likeness of God. We nurture the human wholeness of each pupil to play a full role in society fully human and fully alive for self and others, providing a community in which faith, culture and life are brought into harmony.”
(Religious Dimensions of Education in a Catholic School)
Catholic Education is a spiritual process which is life-affirming and values–based.
" I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Teaching is both vocation and profession.
" Teaching has an extraordinary moral depth and is one of humanity's excellent and creative activities, for the teacher does not write on inanimate material, but on the very spirits of human beings.”
(The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium)
Teachers are:
Agents of transformation;
Inspirers of wonder;
Encouragers of potential;
Messengers of meaning;
Nurturers of witnesses;
Healers of fear;
Prophets to the nation;
Co-creators with God.
The Experience
An opportunity to serve in the liberating, challenging mission of the Church in education
A life giving professional career with the chance to make a difference, to touch lives and inspire imagination and creativity
An understanding of the power of education to draw out the God-given potential of others
A sense of belonging to a community rooted in faith with high quality continuing professional development and pastoral care
An experience of a learning community founded on love, co-operation, solidarity, truth, justice and the common good
A community of colleagues who offer each other support and share learning
The Challenge for you
To acknowledge that the person you teach is more important than the subject you teach.
To draw out the full human potential of every pupil in an environment of love as a co-creator with God and parents.
To be realistic in your expectations of yourself and others and to seek to develop a balanced lifestyle.
To live a life that reflects the values and simplicity of the Gospel as proclaimed by the Catholic Church.
To engage in continuous professional development to develop yourself and the pupils you teach towards full human potential.