My first day teaching at La Salette.

After several days of in-class observation and out-of-class lesson planning, today I actually got up and taught a seventh grade religion class at La Salette. It was, I must report, a delightful and truly invigorating experience. Before today, my experience of teaching religion was largely limited to the once-weekly CCD classes I taught while I lived in South Bend. Going in today, I was nervous about making a good first impression, presenting the lesson in a cogent fashion and having enough material to fill the time. When I got going, however, these fears disappeared and I found myself moving along with almost effortless confidence. The students helped a lot in this regard - I'm blessed to be teaching a class of kids who are bright and well-behaved, energetic and engaged. Their knowledge of Scripture and church history never ceases to amaze - particularly as it far exceeds the grasp I had of either topic when I was at their grade level. Though I'm sure there are many challenges to come - regular lesson-planning, for example - if today is any indication I'm hopeful that the teaching experiment at La Salette will be a richly grace-filled and life-giving experience. AMDG.