This special reflection comes from Cohort 9 STF Anna Stevenson. Anna, who studied English and education at the University of Dallas, shares some of the hard-earned fruits of her first year as a middle school teacher. Are you new to teaching? Wondering what education and mission work might have in store for you? See the eight lessons Anna has to share with new teachers in this blog post.
I first found out about Seton Teaching Fellows over three years ago. The aspect of the mission that grabbed my heart and pulled my attention more than anything else was hearing stories about the beautiful children who would receive the Sacraments and be brought into the Church through our Catechism classes: El Camino. What was even more inspiring is the fact that children would go home and bring this gift to their families—our disciples bring prayer to the home and have even asked their parents to be baptized and join the Church. When I encountered this reality it gave me chills (and still does to this day).
While I was yet discerning and preparing for my possible year as a Seton Teaching Fellow, I distinctly remember reading that Fellows “live simply” and instantly panicking. There are a number of things that inspire a life of simplicity—detachment from money, vastly reducing your possessions, seeking necessity over luxury, placing people before comfort—and to a young person considering entry into the professional world this doesn't often seem attractive. Despite concerns around self-denial, I was drawn to the mission of the New Evangelization and I said yes to Seton Teaching Fellows. I then braced myself for what I thought would be a year of discomfort and—reluctantly, I admit—left half of my wardrobe behind as I packed up to move to the Bronx.
The formation and education I received throughout life taught me the head knowledge of the Catholic faith. It was a gift—a valuable and important thing for a young man to have. However, it was an incomplete education because I lacked the heart knowledge which directs our faculties in charitable ways; it wasn’t until I became a Seton Teaching Fellow that I really started working towards the gift of Charity.
In this reflection, STF Adam Grand shares how the process of reframing, seeking out opportunities, and tackling challenges helped him pursue God in the everyday and lead with love in the classroom
From money, to masters, to mission—Shannon Griffin shares how she discovered STF while pursuing an M.A. in economics. Her studies and interests found an intersection in STF, and Shannon found God in the margins.
Seton Teaching Fellows offer up a year of their life in Christian service. It's a gift freely given. Some of our STF alumni experience a gift in return: a vocational calling.
By: MaryJane Plote, a member of STF Cohort 4 | MaryJane graduated from the University of Dallas in 2017 and joined Seton Teaching Fellows as a 4th grade teacher. Upon the completion of her missionary year with STF, she entered University of Dayton's Pastoral Ministry Program, where she is working in campus ministry & on her masters degree. Seton Teaching Fellows will forever be blessed by Ms. Plote's love and dedication to the children she served, her coworkers, & her community members.