5-Week Course
Overview
Featuring videos with Dr. Thomas H. Groome, Melinda Brown Donovan, Anne Krane, and Fr. Quang Tran, S.J.; text by Joe Paprocki.
Updated Summer 2022!
Sharing the treasure of Christian faith with the next generation can be a real challenge. It’s not enough for children to learn doctrine, but they need to find meaning in the faith for their lives.
Focused on the elementary and junior high catechist and religious educator, this course explores the fundamental questions facing educators: Who are my students? What should I teach? and How do I teach it effectively? Participants will learn about the developmental needs of their students and their diverse learning styles as well as different strategies and resources to provide a quality faith-based education. This course is not dependent on any catechetical textbook series.
Topics
- Week 1: Introduction
- Week 2: Who are my Students?
- Week 3: What Should I Teach?
- Week 4: How Do I Teach It? Part I: Strategies
- Week 5: How Do I Teach It? Part II: Holistic Student Formation
Special Features
- Text by Joe Paprocki, The Catechist’s Toolbox: How to Thrive as a Religious Education Teacher
- Handouts by Dr. Thomas H. Groome to accompany his video; handout by Melinda Brown Donovan, "Ten Tips for Prayer in the Classroom"
- Two videos with presentations by Dr. Thomas H. Groome, one video by Melinda Brown Donovan and Barbara Radtke, one video by Anne Krane and Fr. Quang Tran, S.J.
- Text transcripts of each featured video
- Weekly study guide with questions for reflection and discussion
- A regularly updated Resources page for further study.
All STM Online: Crossroads courses include these features
- Participants have access 24 hours/7 days a week to the course's password-protected web site.
- Each participant belongs to a small Community for Conversation and faith sharing guided by a facilitator.
- The course site is usually available to participants at least three months after the course has ended.
- An orientation in how to navigate the web site is always available.
- Technical assistance is easy to contact and prompt in returning a message.
- A Certificate of Active Participation is awarded to those who post at least three messages of substance for each week of content.
Additional Materials Needed
- Joe Paprocki. The Catechist’s Toolbox: How to Thrive as a Religious Education Teacher. Loyola Press, 2007. (Loyola Press) (Amazon)
Time Commitment
A participant can expect to spend an average of approximately 3-4 hours each week. This commitment includes both the assigned reading and interaction online.
Content Scholars
- Joe Paprocki, D.Min., (text) is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press. He has over 35 years of experience in ministry and has taught at the high school, college, and general-adult levels. He is the author of numerous books and he presents to audiences across North America.
- Thomas H. Groome, Ph.D. (videos) is professor of theology and religious education, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, and former director of Boston College’s Church in the 21st Century Center.
- Melinda Brown Donovan, M.A. (video, article) served as associate director for continuing education, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, through May, 2019.
- Anne Krane, M.Ed., M.Div. (video) is a Pre-K teacher and Ministry Coordinator at St. Columbkille Partnership School. She is also the host and creator of the Breakfast with God program.
- Fr. Quang Tran, S.J. (video) is a Jesuit priest of the Central Southern Province. He is originally from New Orleans, LA. and is currently a doctoral student in counseling psychology at Boston College. He is a co-host of the Breakfast with God program.
