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Marilyn Sheridan, second grade teacher at Most Precious Blood School, congratulates one of her students on a job well-done with an elbow bump. Sheridan noted her students have been doing a great job adhering to social distancing guidelines, wearing masks and washing their hands often since the school returned to in-person learning.

Rebecca Esparza | For STC

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Sylvia Rodriguez can clearly recall when she first realized she was meant to become a religious education teacher. She felt the happiness in her heart when speaking to her kindergartners about how much God loves them.

“I remember asking them to stretch their arms out as far as they could and telling them that God loves them so much more than that. They were filled with joy, and I knew from that moment on that I never wanted to be anything other than a religious education teacher,” she said.

Rodriguez, an educator for 24 years, has been a religious education teacher at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy for the last seven years. As such, she has fully committed herself to helping her young students understand they are truly loved by God.

“I faithfully believe young children need to know who they are in Christ and what they believe as Catholic Christians,” she said. “My students know their prayers, and we pray together. They learn Sacred Scripture through various religion lessons and activities, which helps them understand their faith.”

She added even small children could learn about and understand the lives of the saints, including the example they showed in living holy lives. 

“They have a basic understanding of the sacraments and the importance of forgiveness. I believe that all these components help my students stay grounded in their faith. This all helps them grow as followers and Disciples of Christ,” she said.

Teaching over the last year has not been easy considering restrictions with the pandemic, but thanks to support from school administrators, the process has been agreeable.

“Initially, it was quite a challenge. But as a school, we hit the ground running and wasted no time, thanks to our amazing principal, Diane Martinez. We became familiar with a variety of resources and platforms that helped with delivery of instruction. We had high expectations, and I believe we exceeded those expectations,” she said.

Marilyn Sheridan is in her 39th year as an educator, with 33 of those years in public school. For the last six years, she has called Most Precious Blood School home, teaching second graders and helping them prepare for their first Communion.
She explained there are several layers to her method of attempting to ground her children in faith.

“The first is to give them knowledge of God and His Church. They learn stories from the Old Testament and the New Testament that establishes the unfolding of Salvation history and the wonderful gift of Grace that God bestows upon His people. This grace we receive abundantly when we partake in the Sacraments,” she said.

Sheridan said it is here that God’s love fills our souls: strengthening our ability to live a God-centered life.

“The second is strengthening their belief by nurturing a devout prayer life,” she said. “It is through prayer that we can adore God, thank Him, and ask Him for what we need as well as ask for help for other people.”

She cited prayers like the Rosary and Divine Mercy chaplet are shared with her students, but she also teaches the children about quiet reflection and writing spontaneous, heartfelt prayers. 

“During Advent, we say prayers around the Advent wreath and lead the school posada [a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a lodging in Bethlehem}. In the Spring, we participate in different prayer services and pray the Divine Mercy Novena. Finally, I try to encourage my students to live out their faith in word and deed. We learn about how they can fulfill the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy,” she added.

COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in extra planning and preparation of lessons, but Sheridan is undaunted by the challenge. Her only concern is for the children.
“Sometimes I become uncertain about whether my at-home students are receiving the full benefit of instruction. I miss that easy-flowing relationship that is more easily established with my in-person children,” she lamented.

The modification of school traditions for COVID precautions has been hard, but Sheridan said her children are resilient.
“My children are accepting of the ways things need to be for now. They do not seem to be anxious or afraid, and they are happy to be in school,” she said.

Sheridan has advice for anyone thinking about pursuing a teaching career now, in the midst of social distancing, wearing masks all day in the classroom and the other changes students and teachers have endured over the last year.

“It was only five short years ago that I felt secure enough to be able to teach in the Catholic School, although I did teach several years of CCD while working in the public schools. I wish I had been braver earlier on. I am much happier now teaching at Most Precious Blood School. I just had to follow the Holy Father’s advice: ‘Be not afraid.’”

Kindergarten teacher Sylvia Rodriguez leads her class through the parking lot at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Academy during a ceremony celebrating Catholic Schools Week recently. 

Rebecca Esparza | For STC