I always enjoy the chance to do these days for educators. I love watching their faces…they are so excited to see their friends and coworkers as they arrive. Then when I am introduced…they look at me as if to say, “I wish I were in my classroom. What’s THIS guy gonna tell me?”

I ask them questions. We laugh about the ups and down of the demanding work of teaching. Then I ask the question, “So WHY do you teach?” Their answers humble me—“I am called by God.” “I was born to do this.” “I was touched by the example of teachers in my life.” “Young people deserve it.”

I had the pleasure and privilege to be with some school faculties in my home area: St. Genevieve Elementary and Middle Schools, Cathedral Carmel Elementary and Teurlings Catholic (all in Lafayette) and Carencro Catholic. I also got to spend 3 days speaking to the Catholic school teachers in the Archdiocese of Mobile (AL) and Evansville (IN). The bishops there are very supportive of Catholic education and of teachers. The Office of Catholic Schools there are first class people and I enjoyed spending a short amount of time with them.

A special treat for me was to be invited to supper with some special young adults. They are graduates of the University of Notre Dame and working on their Masters in Education. They are in a 2 year program there called ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education). They work on their courses during the summer and give two years to work in Catholic schools across the country. It so touched me to be invited to share a meal with them (I knew some as counselors of Notre Dame’s Vision program.) I loved hearing why they are giving two years of their lives to teach– for a very reduced wage— in places far from home— in community. They inspired me as well as all the people who work very hard for less pay than they are worth while they touch lives , inspire dreams and instill confidence.

(the Notre Dame ACE Community)

Here’s to all teachers…who touch lives.