By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB
Gerbils, hamsters, birds, rabbits, and fish have called my classroom “home” throughout my 20 years of teaching.
They have been part of our school family, teaching us about the importance of caring for all God’s creatures.
After our hamster died last year, I had to find a new pet. My sister, MacKenzie, loves her guinea pig, so I decided to get one for my preschoolers. Read more!!
It is hard to believe that summer break is over!
While I will miss being home with my Sisters (especially for Noonday Prayer), I love reconnecting with all the sweet little faces here at Grace. Continue Reading
School starts in just a couple of weeks and I can’t wait.
Yes, I know I’ll be dying for some time off in, say, a week, but hey. I love my kids and can’t wait to see them!!! Continue Reading
Today was the first day of school and it felt very strange not to be knee deep in preschoolers!
The bad news is that I miss those little faces. But the good news is I could be outside with the other students to watch them begin the day.
It was delightful! 🙂 Continue Reading
Whew! July has been a very busy month, with 3 conferences and a visit with my family up in Dubuque. All of it was wonderful, but I am so glad to be back home and getting ready for school! 🙂
St. John Bosco is helping me. He wrote, “It is not enough that young people are loved. They must know that they are loved.” Continue Reading
Can you believe it? School’s almost over again. Every year I feel the same way. How can time go so fast???
Of course it doesn’t go fast for the preschoolers. They live in the moment (as we all should, at least more than we do).
Today one of my little ones underscored the reason I love teaching in a Catholic school … and miss it so much over the summer! She looked deep in thought on the playground.
My teacher associate, Mrs. Sierra, asked her what she was thinking about. She said “Jesus’ love for me.”
That just made my day. It’s why I LOVE teaching in a Catholic school. Helping the kids feel Jesus’ love, and helping them understand what Jesus wants them to do – love and serve each other – is what it’s all about!!! 🙂
Grace’s preschoolers are bursting with spring joy!!!
Spread the joy! If you know someone with a preschooler who hasn’t made a choice of school for next fall, visit Grace during our Open House on Sunday, May 18 from 11:30 to 1:00.
I’ll be teaching a brand new 3 day/week preschool program beginning Fall 2014!!!!!
P.S. If you can’t make that time, call Julie, our secretary, at (309) 755-9771 to schedule time that works for you!!!
Whenever you put elders and toddlers (that’s Sister Mary Jane Wallace with her young pen pal on the left) together, you get magic. We sure had some of that yesterday when Grace preschoolers visited the monastery!
(Of course it was chaotic and everyone needed a nap afterwards … kids and Sisters both!) Continue Reading
Recently I attended a workshop on giving praise. The presenter called today’s students “praise junkies.” Oh boy, did she get it right.
Last week, Grace Academy kids and parents had a “blast” at the East Moline Firecracker Run. 🙂 Continue Reading
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