Education Matters
As we slide into March, my mind is increasingly focused on June and September. Not as an escape from the gray skies and cold temperatures, but because now is the time to plan programming that will take place next summer and fall! I’m sharing this with you now because one of the first considerations when planning future classes is who is available to teach them. There are opportunities available for volunteer teachers and facilitators at all levels – children, youth, and adults. Maintaining or growing our programs depends upon people like you stepping forward to share your time, talents, and ideas – and maybe stretching out of your comfort zone and trying something new.
We need more people in all areas, but our greatest need is for adults to work with our 6th-8th graders. For the past 4 years, we have been unable to offer any programs for our middle school aged youth. This year we have several kids who have been actively participating in our elementary class but will age out next fall. This is a crucial time for these youth to stay connected to our UUCB community! For children and youth programming up through 8th grade, lesson plans and materials are provided, to minimize the prep work for volunteers – but teachers are free to tailor those lessons if they choose. Teaching commitments can be as little as one Sunday per month. Training and support are provided, and volunteers work together as teams. There are always at least two adults in every classroom. Both Our Whole Lives (OWL) and Spirit Play require specific training programs, so if you are interested in either of these volunteer opportunities, please contact me to discuss the possibilities. For a full description of each of our volunteer opportunities, please visit our website.
If you’re not sure what would be the best fit for you, let’s talk! Now is also the time to be thinking about adult religious education classes you might like to offer next year – OR that you wish someone else would offer. Please use this form to submit your idea(s), or contact me if you would like to discuss it first.
Thank you for helping to keep our community a vibrant place of learning for people of all ages.
Stephanie Kimball, Director of Lifespan Religious Education kimball@uubloomington.org