Meet Our Fourth-Grade Teachers Building a Strong Foundation For Learning

Fourth grade is a unique time of transition, as students approach the end of their elementary school years, while still working towards middle school. It’s also a time of growth and discovery — both of oneself and the world around us. And for students who have the opportunity to attend St. Peter Catholic School, it’s a year they get to spend with our fourth-grade teachers, Mrs. Denise Hufendick and Mrs. Cris Weckbach.

“I love the age level, how they are ‘little big kids,’” says Mrs. Hufendick who has been teaching at St. Peter’s for the past 39 years.

“I love teaching fourth grade because students are learning to become independent,” says Mrs. Weckbach, who has spent 15 of her 26 years at St. Peter School teaching fourth grade. “They are just young people with good thinking skills.”

Both teachers love the things that make a Catholic school unique, from being able to learn and share about their faith in the classroom, to the various opportunities to pray together as a school community, especially at weekly school Mass.

“I like working in a Catholic school because we get to teach Religion and attend Mass as a school,” Mrs. Weckbach says. “I’m always proud when my students participate in Mass as a reader, saying petitions, and bringing up gifts.

“Fourth grade usually helps the kindergarteners at Mass,” she adds. “This is my favorite hour of the week. It’s so touching seeing my students helping the kindergarten students.”

“I like working in a place where my students and I can talk about God and pray every day,” Mrs. Hufendick says. “Being a teacher in a Catholic school has always made me reflect on my own faith, and going to Mass with my students makes me realize how precious our faith and worship are.”

In addition to the many wonderful things that make a Catholic education unique, our fourth-grade teachers have found something special about the community at St. Peter School.

“Our school feels like a big family,” Mrs. Hufendick says.

“You are a part of a family — always surrounded by good people,” says Mrs. Weckbach, who both attended and sent her own children to St. Peter School.

The students aren’t the only ones learning in our fourth-grade classrooms. Both teachers have found their own knowledge expanding as they walk alongside their students.

“My students have taught me that learning is always important and that each day is a gift,” Mrs. Hufendick says. “It’s fun sharing books,

music, and learning together each week at school. Sometimes, we just share a good laugh over funny things that happen!”

“My faith continues to grow,” Mrs. Weckbach adds. “Through teaching, you are constantly reminded of how important it is to have that foundation of having faith and hope.”

Both teachers hope that students will leave their classroom prepared to continue growing in their faith and inspired to make the world a better place.

“I want them to know they can always pray and that they are made in the image of God,” Mrs. Hufendick says. “I also want them to know they can ask the Holy Spirit to guide them.”

“I want my students to leave my class having an appreciation of the value of learning, to know that God will always be with them, and to know how important it is to use your God-given talents,” Mrs. Weckbach says.

If you would like more information on St. Peter School, please visit www.stpeterschool.com.

Mrs. Cris Weckbach (second from right) and her family

Mrs. Denise Hufendick and her husband, Kent (center) with their two daughters, and their families