Go Teach And Jesus Showed Us How Reflections

"Go Teach" is intended to give teachers and Christian catechists an in-depth look at the methods and techniques Jesus used as he taught large groups (crowds), small groups (his homeroom, the Twelve) and individuals. It focuses on such concepts as how Jesus adapted his methods to his students' learning styles, personalities, and circumstances and how he dealt with a parent-teacher conference, gave directions, and corrected students in situations comparable to what teachers today face as they teach from September to June. After a brief retelling of a teaching moment in Jesus' life, applications are made to current teaching encounters. A free-verse-like format encourages a slow reading and pondering of the text. The intended audience includes Christian catechists, instructors in teacher-education programs, preK-12 teachers in all fields of studies, and parents who homeschool their children.

Sister Regina Alfonso, originally from Memphis, Tennessee, moved to Ohio in order to join the Sisters of Notre Dame. She began her teaching ministry in elementary schools in Ohio, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. That experience was a valuable preparation for her next ministry in teacher education at Notre Dame College of Ohio. A veteran educator, she frequently gave workshops and presentations on teaching, even traveling to Uganda, Africa, to teach new methods to teachers. She also worked on a religion textbook series. In 1973, Sister Regina began designing learning games intended to reinforce math and reading skills. By 1990, she was conducting make-and-take sessions to share her ideas with her teacher education students and local faculties. She now has more than sixty games for children in grades K to 5. While teaching at Notre Dame College, Sister Regina undertook the project of updating the libraries of urban Catholic schools, an activity she continued after she retired—until twenty schools benefited from her volunteer work. After retiring, Sister engaged in tutoring and preparing adults for GED testing. Most recently, besides working on this book, she is tutoring children from grades K to 2. Sister is seldom seen without a crochet hook in her hand. For the Notre Dame Sisters’ annual boutiques, she produces unique creations—such as animals, dolls, and nursery rhyme characters. She also crochets booties, caps, and blankets for the babies in Le Bonheur’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Sister Regina currently resides at the Notre Dame Provincial Center in Chardon, Ohio.