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Table of contents
1. Love Your Why.............................................................................................................................................

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Document 1 of 1

Love Your Why

Author: Beckley, Gary
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Abstract:
Teachers take attendance, line students up for music class, answer questions, count lunch money, respond to
parents, go to faculty meetings and go out for recess duty. Teachers know how to tap into prior knowledge,
know how to pique curiosity in each student and how to differentiate the learning based on Gardner's research
in the multiple intelligences. More than a crucifix on the wall, the liturgical calendar hanging in the office and the
Rosary being recited throughout the month of May, our Catholic traditions permeate in the very nature of our
instruction, our actions as people, and acts of humility and service to others.
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Full text:
Headnote
We know the what, the how, the where and with whom, but why we do what we do each day speaks volumes
into the heart of the Catholic school teacher
Enjoy what you do. Know how to do it. Above all else, love why you do it. All too often we, as Catholic
educators, get caught up in the pure art and science of teaching and learning. However, there is an underlying
mission surrounding Catholic education that supersedes informational knowledge. Yes, like all schools, Catholic
schools are in the business of educating the whole child. In this case though, Catholic education stems from the
mission of Christ himself.
Love your why. We know the what, the how, the where and with whom, but why we do what we do each day
speaks volumes into the heart of the Catholic school teacher. We choose Catholic schools because of the
culture behind the scenes. We choose Catholic schools because of the implied faith and the climate of each day
stemming from that deep and rich faith. Culture and climate in a school represent the long-standing values,
traditions and beliefs as well as the daily feelings, sights, smells and operations of a school. In these reside the
reasons that so many educators are drawn to enjoy their days and continue to remember why they do it.
Enjoy What You Do
Teachers are doers. Teachers plan, grade, instruct, plan more, assess, evaluate, re-teach, evaluate again,
grade and plan some more. Teachers take attendance, line students up for music class, answer questions,
count lunch money, respond to parents, go to faculty meetings and go out for recess duty. Teachers sing in
class to entertain while instructing. Middle school teachers attempt to bring enough craziness to the classroom
that the seventhgrade mind finds entertaining but not too much craziness that creates sideways glances around
the classroom. Teachers spend hours worrying about the lowest and highest performing students while trying
not to overlook those somewhere i ? between. Teachers are more than simply passing on information from one
generation to the next. Teachers are more than homework assigners, test givers and essay graders. So what is
it that educators enjoy doing?
Teachers are some of the best observers of the human person and condition out there. They see things others
miss. They hear things others seem to ignore. They sense the emotions and immediate attitudes of the children
that others may wish to overlook. These traits have nothing to do with scaffolding, formative versus summative
assessments or rubrics. These observations are what keep the best up at night. These intuitive responses
toward the children are what push teachers forward with better lesson planning, new strategies and more childcentered activities. This is the pure art and science of teaching and learning. It is truly what teachers enjoy

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doing.
But why?
Know How to Do It
The best teachers spend countless time perfecting their craft. They go back to school for additional coursework,
earn advanced degrees and attend any number of conferences and workshops to learn the latest and greatest
methods; the most advanced studies and newest programs. Teachers know how to tap into prior knowledge,
know how to pique curiosity in each student and how to differentiate the learning based on Gardner's research
in the multiple intelligences.
The how of teaching delves much deeper into the ability of the human brain than imparting information. The how
of true teaching is being able to reach to 20, sometimes 30plus students at one time with little more than a piece
of chalk or dusty textbook. Teachers employ a vast toolbox of knowledge to drive their instruction. Teachers use
centers and experiments while staying clear of the dreaded worksheet. They aim to lead students to discovery
rather than directly tell, they seek to inspire rather than encourage the regurgitation of facts and they desire to
help their children to grow and blossom at the appropriate time. Once again, this is the pure art and science of
teaching and learning. Teachers know how to teach. But why?
Love Your Why
Think of the last social gathering you attended. This could be at church, a dinner party or an outing to the mall.
We meet people all the time and while religion and politics may be off the table as ice breaker subjects we move
on to the weather and our work. What do you do? Where do you work? How do you like it? Innocuous
questionspleasantries that we so routinely are accustomed to answering without much thought. We have the
standard answers meant to disarm and remain politically correct. Unfortunately we are answering the wrong
question. We are human "be-ings" not human "doings." The question we must answer is why do you do what
you do?
Teachers have many reasons for being a teacher. Teachers love to see the proverbial light bulb flicker to life as
comprehension and understanding is recognized. They feel called to inspire, to instill dreams and lessen fear of
the unknown. Often teachers are called to continue what their favorite teachers instilled in them many years
prior. This is why teachers do what they do. This has nothing to do with money, recognition or promotion. It is
about mission. It is about culture and climate. It is about virtue and integrity. The best and the brightest in the
field have relentless passion and an uncompromising spirit.
Why Catholic
There is a specific and deeply rooted culture that exists within Catholic education that goes beyond description.
This culture is more than Sr. Mary Margaret from St. Martha's Catholic School. This culture is more than weekly
attendance at school Mass and daily religion instruction. More than a crucifix on the wall, the liturgical calendar
hanging in the office and the Rosary being recited throughout the month of May, our Catholic traditions
permeate in the very nature of our instruction, our actions as people, and acts of humility and service to others.
This culture is more than the opportunity to pray openly in school with our students. This culture is about the
root of all good things: Christ.
Rooted in the teachings of Christ we are called to teach in his mode- to be the image of Christ to our students.
We are driven by the Christ-like presence within the walls of the school building. Both teachers and school
leaders alike share in the vision of education that is uniquely Catholic. The mission of the church is alive in our
schools. This mission lives through the principals, the teachers and the students. This mission is either lived at
home or the schools are having a direct influence in the Catholic evangelization of the school families through
the children.
Use Your Why with Grace
Take your passion, gifts and talents to inspire and to evangelize the next generation. Catholic school educators
have a calling toward grace through their work with children. Live like the saints, emulate the lives of those that
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have gone before and be ready for not only your future, but like Archbishop Oscar Romero prayed, the future
not our own. The future is our schools, our children, and our faith. Pray for it. Live it. Enjoy what you do every
day. Trust in your knowledge and that you do know how to teach. Above all else, love why you do it.
The grace of God's work is truly amazing.
Sidebar
"Enjoy what you do euery day. Trust in your knowledge and that you do know how to teach, flboue all else, loue
why you doit."
AuthorAffiliation
Gary Beckley, Ed.D., is principal of Annunciation Catholic School in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of the
University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education program and his doctoral work is in educational
leadership (gary.beckley@gmail.com).
Subject: Teachers; Teaching; Education; Schools; Learning; Catholic schools;
Publication title: Momentum
Volume: 44
Issue: 1
Pages: 26-27
Number of pages: 2
Publication year: 2013
Publication date: Feb/Mar 2013
Year: 2013
Publisher: National Catholic Educational Association
Place of publication: Washington
Country of publication: United States
Publication subject: Education
ISSN: 0026914X
Source type: Magazines
Language of publication: English
Document type: Feature
ProQuest document ID: 1326792732
Document URL:
http://proxy.library.nd.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1326792732?accountid=12874
Copyright: Copyright National Catholic Educational Association Feb/Mar 2013
Last updated: 2013-04-15
Database: ProQuest Social Sciences Premium Collection

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