One of the Most Challenging and Rewarding Four Years

Just before high school began in the fall of 1974, (Jeanie was a senior and Debbie a junior) I was called to be an early morning seminary teacher. I had always thought that teachers had to be gospel scholars, members of the CES (Church Educational System) or have some kind of teaching credential. I didn't even come close to any of those descriptions.  My first thought was: "They have to be desperate for teachers this year!"  But since I had never turned down a calling up to now, I reluctantly said yes.  I knew this was going to be extremely difficult since I still had five children at home, and now I would have to get up even earlier very early every single week day.  I felt that 6:00 a.m. was early.  But now I figured that now I would have to be up by ATough4:30 a.m., AND I would have to find time every day to study ... quiet and dedicated study.  Where would that time come from?  It couldn't be late at night when everybody was asleep because I had to get up so early.  It couldn't be during "nap time" because all the children were too old for naps.  The only time I would have was when the children were in school.  Lea, (our youngest) was now in first grade, and I was used to having that time for home duties and "running around" when I needed to.

One of the things that gave me some incentive to give this a try was that Jim and Rochelle would be starting high school and seminary in just another year, and since I would be teaching freshmen, I hoped I would able would to teaching two of my own children.  I would have to do good job for their sakes.  If I could at least make it through these next two years I would be happy.  That two years turned into four and it was one of my favorite assignments ever!  That is when I really learned the Gospel.  During those four years, I taught Book of Mormon,  Old Testament, New Testament, and Church History.  Included in the curriculum was teaching filing systems and beginning a personal file, scripture memorization and competitions, devotional thoughts presented by the students every morning, and teaching leadership skills.  It was quite a challenge having to prepare a lesson every single day while taking care of all the other things required in the curriculum AND a family.

That first year was a time of learning and organizing for me.  I was glad to teach freshmen because I could set the rules and do things my way and my students would believe that this was the "seminary way" in all the classes.  I had observed that by the time students and been in the seminary program for four years with four different instructors, they were not too inclined to be excited and attentive learners.  The first year went ok, but the second year students were a true "dream" class.  Most of the students were eager and excited to be there.  I had some who were extremely intelligent (my son was one of them) and wanted and needed to be challenged.  That was exciting for me, but required more work on my part.  In my next blog I will talk more about this class and what they accomplished.

I'm afraid this blog is a little boring because there are no fun stories to tell here.  The next one will include some stories and experiences with this class.  So stay tuned!