Education

BY ANNIE LUST

Elayne Bockey learned her first foreign language at her mother’s knee. “My mom taught me a little Germanhow to count and a few words, and I loved learning that,” she recalled. In fifth grade, the choir began singing in Latin, and Elayne found that she enjoyed that, as well. At 14, Elayne left home to go to Notre Dame Academy, already realizing she was called to religious life as a sister of Notre Dame. There, she studied Latin for four years.

When she began college, German was her first choice for a language to study, but French was the alternative she was offered. She found that Frenchmuch like her early experience with German and Latin - was another language she enjoyed learning. “I loved it from the beginning,” she remarked. Immediately after college, she began teaching French. In her role as a French teacher, she coordinated student trips to France, which was her first opportunity to visit the country. Her trips were immensely popular with students. One particular trip was a three-week excursion to England, France, Italy, and Switzerland. She posted the deadline for deposits and was shocked when 77 students signed up. “We couldn’t even all fit on the same plane,” Sr. Elayne recalled with a laugh.

Sr. Elayne Bockey and students in her Spanish classroom (top) and with other recipients of the 2016 Golden Apple Awards (above).

In 1986, she had a surprising opportunity to not only visit Europe but to live there. She was called to the motherhouse in Rome. In an environment with sisters from all around the world, Sr. Elayne’s talent for languages was a blessing. She added to her repertoire, learning more German, Italian, and Portuguese. Her formal role was not teaching - she was the assistant to the Mother General and also Superior of the local motherhouse, but her love of teaching shone through. She taught English to non-native speakers and others who wanted to learn, including a lieutenant from Interpol. “It was a wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the world,” Sr. Elayne said.

Returning to the United States after 11 years abroad, she took a job teaching French at St. Wendelin High School in Fostoria. It was then that she noticed that students wanted to learn Spanish. “I knew I could learn faster than my students,” Sr. Elayne said. She did. She began teaching Spanish I, then Spanish II. She eventually perfected her own self-taught Spanish by completing a summer program in Texas.

In 2017, Sr. Elayne Bockey returned to her roots. She accepted a Spanish teaching position at St. John the Evangelist school in Delphos. She hadn’t lived in her hometown since she was 14. Her family, many of whom still live in Delphos, were delighted. Sr. Elayne shares in that delight: “On Sundays, I sit surrounded by nieces and nephews and cousins, and it is such a joy.” During the week, she stays busy teaching Spanish to her high school students.

For Sr. Elayne, languages are much more than a job. “Languages are an integral part of my spirituality. I love to learn to pray in a new language,” Sr. Elayne explains. She begins her day by reading the daily scriptures in Italian, then listens to the readings at Mass in English. Each translation has nuances that make it unique. “I have favorite scripture quotes in French, Spanish, German, Italian, and in English,” she said. Sr. Elayne continued with a smile, “It’s wonderful when the work that you do fits with your spirituality.” For her, it has certainly been a perfect fit.