On the Edge of the Weekend • Thursday, July 30, 2020 • 23
Bethalto duo share love for education
The Edge
BETHALTO — “I teach tiny humans. What’s your superpower?” That statement is on the front of a shirt worn by Mollie Lavezzi, referring to her job as a preschool teacher at Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto. Joining her on the early childhood ministry team is her sister, Katie Ray. “I have the pleasure of working with these dedicated women every day,” said Sarah Koch, Preschool and Summer Camp director. “It is a joy to see them share the love of Jesus with children. “Katie and Mollie are a blessing to so many children because of the investment of teachers and staff at Zion and Metro-East Lutheran High School,” Koch said. “Lutheran School communities really do change lives one child at a time.” As preschoolers, the two daughters of Ken and Marla Ray of Bethalto attended Zion’s Preschool and continued at Zion through Grade 8. “I still remember the scavenger hunt on my first day at Zion,” said Lavezzi. “One of the most important lessons I learned at Zion was how to care for others,” she said. “We learned how to get along with one another. I made lifelong friends during those days.” Ray said school was an extension of the girls’
home. “We learned the same values of faith and family wherever we were,” she said. “Our Zion teachers taught us how to deal with life from our early years.” Both girls said they value their teachers’ investment in their lives — academically, spiritually and socially. “Because our classes were small, our teachers really knew us,” Ray said. “And our families were very involved in our school. Zion students still have these benefits today.” Strong relationships and important life lessons from Zion stayed with the girls as they went on to graduate from Metro-East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville. Ray began her higher education at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey and then graduated from Liberty University. Lavezzi graduated from Southeast Missouri State University. Today, as Zion teachers, they said they value the opportunities they have to bring God into everything they do with their students. “We make faith in God more than Sunday sound bites,” Lavezzi said. “We live our faith, and we teach our students and their families how to live with God’s help. “Our Preschool lessons about love and hope go home with our students,” she said. “Parents are learning more about God’s kindness and
(For The Edge) Sisters Mollie Lavezzi, left, and Katie Ray, both attended Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto. They now work together on the early childhood ministry team at the school. compassion from their children. That helps everyone.” “Children have so much uncertainty in their lives right now,” Ray said. “We can’t fix that. But we can reassure them that God is always
with them and always loves them. That’s what is certain in their lives.” For more information about Zion Lutheran School visit http://zlsbethalto.org, call 618-3775507 or email schooloffice@zionbethalto.org.
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