Catechists

Our parish formation programs could not function without catechists and other volunteers.  We are grateful for your choice to give up your time to share your faith through this ministry. It is in your commitment we remain...
  
"One family sharing the love and light of Christ"

We want your experience as a catechist to be positive and energizing, so please consider the following when it comes to discipline and affirmation:  

Communicate your expectations the very first day! 
You can even create your rules together as a class.                                                

• No talking when someone else is talking (Respect)       
• Remain seated and raise your hand when you need something (Respect, again)
• Be kind to others (Respect, yet again!)

Stress that making poor choices necessitates consequences. 

• Give a verbal warning for first offense.
• Write name on board for second offense.
• Send student to director for third offense, and contact parent.
• For persistent issues, invite parent(s) into the classroom to sit with his or her child (discuss this with a director first, however, as she may have other ideas to try).

Talk to the child privately to find out what is going on.
Perhaps you will learn of a reason for the behavior, which will allow you to form a plan of action with the child as well.  

Try to be patient but firm.
Yelling is not an appropriate way to address children in a classroom.

Try to whisper instead of getting louder. 
Try silent pauses when the class is off task. Turn the lights off and sit in silence for a moment.

Recognize GOOD Behavior 
Recognize that behavior by saying something such as, "I like how (name) is listening to my directions!" Or place a piece of candy on the desk of an on-task child without saying a word. The class will catch on and want to get caught being good as well!
 
 Use some of these great affirmations in your classroom:

• Awesome!
• Good for you!
• Great answer!
• I knew you could do it!
• I'm proud of you!
• Way to go!
• What a good listener!
• You're a great helper!
• You're on the right track!
• Nicely done!
• Super!
• Exactly right!
• Wow, that's a great answer!
• Keep it up!
• Excellent!
• You are so kind!

Remember that students often relate the character of God to those who teach them about God - -Love and Mercy should always guide us.