Meet St. James Parish Religious Education Teacher Alisha Schindler

Over the years, Jesus had been tugging on Alisha Schindler’s heart, calling her to share His love, truth and beauty with others in a meaningful way. Recently, she was able to open her heart to this call in a profound way by saying “yes” to being a Faith Formation catechist at St. James Parish.

“I had been thinking of ways to be more helpful and serve our parish, so when Ann Voller, our Faith Formation Coordinator, reached out to me and invited me to become a catechist, it seemed like the perfect opportunity,” she says. “It was honestly not something I had considered before she mentioned it, but I soon realized it was a way I was meant to entwine myself more into the life of our parish. I took a look at my work schedule and realized I could make time for it.”

After giving a heartfelt “yes” to Jesus, Alisha began teaching first-grade Faith Formation at St. James about two years ago.

“It has been a very rewarding experience,” she says. “I enjoy teaching my first-graders because they are so excited to be in class. They are eager to learn and they have an unreal number of questions!”

Alisha enjoys using the set curriculum given to her, which includes a mini-story and a Gospel reading.

“The curriculum coordinates its lessons with the Gospel of the week, which Father will be preaching on that coming Sunday,” she says. “It is really nice how the curriculum provides a story that the children can really relate to as well.”

Alisha also loves bringing the day’s lesson to life through interesting hands-on activities.

“We always have a ‘word of the week,’ and in the past we have played Hangman and Pass the Ball to help them remember what they have learned,” she says. “I have found that the best way for children to retain information is through games and activities. Things stick for kids when they enjoy what they are learning.”

After giving a heartfelt “yes” to Jesus, Alisha Schindler began teaching first-grade Religious Education about two years ago.

Of all of the activities that Alisha has done with her students, her favorite is likely when they found a unique, creative way to pray for others.

“Last year, we made prayer fences, and the children were so excited about it!” she says. “They had to think of all the people or things they wanted to pray for and put notes inside the fence with these intentions. I suggested that they put them next to their beds, and remember to pray by their fence whenever they felt led to.”

As a convert to Catholicism, Alisha has found that teaching Faith Formation helps her continue on growing in her spiritual life in amazing ways.