by Reggie Bourn
Education majors convened at the Saint Joseph’s College grotto on a sunny Thursday, September 13th to attend the annual Junior Education Ceremony. This event honored the nearly twenty students from the Class of 2020 who will soon begin their teaching internships. The ceremony provides a chance for faculty and mentors to encourage and support their students before the next phase of their educational journey as future teachers. Other members of the College stopped by, including President Jim Dlugos and the Education faculty.
Father Gabriel performing the blessing of education majors as they transition to teaching in classrooms
“The education faculty want to convey our confidence that the juniors are ready for the second half of their undergraduate teaching degree. It is time for them to embrace that they are now closer to being teachers than just students,” said Joan Flagg-Williams, PhD, an assistant professor of education who organized the event.
“In the junior and senior years, education majors plan and teach lessons on their own to real students out in the public schools. The support we give them this whole year, starting with this ceremony, helps them take that leap of faith that they will become teachers now and move successfully to the end of their time as students.”
Miranda Eisenhart ‘20
Lexi Frost ’20, April Benak ‘20, and Jaymie Haynes ‘20 performed the readings in front of the statue of the Blessed Mother, beginning with a reading from the Book of Sirach [6:32-37] : “If you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.”
“The most important people in this world are teachers, they are the foundation for all learning.”
Miranda Eisenhart ‘20, shared her appreciation for the significance of the blessing ceremony.
“This ceremony is important for the recognition of teachers. Today’s world doesn’t regard teachers very highly, and events like this make us feel special.”
For more information about the Junior Blessing Ceremony, contact Joan Flagg-Williams at jflagg@sjcme.edu
