Catholic Schools Week Supplement

Mom-teacher shares her list for the choice of a Catholic education

Kindergarten teacher Teresa Minton shares a smile with two of her students, Simon Toth and Molly Campbell, at Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ School in Indianapolis. (Submitted photo)

Criterion staff report

It was during Catholic Schools Week seven years ago that Teresa and Andy Minton made a visit—and a decision—that changed their family’s life.

The couple and their four children visited Nativity School in Indianapolis to determine for themselves what they had been told by so many people in the parish.

“Our children were invited to visit classrooms, my husband and I were made to feel like family, and we were impressed with what we were shown,” Teresa recalls. “I did my research, as any good mom who happens to be a teacher does.

“I checked out test scores. I talked with families who attended the school. I spent the good portion of a day at the school with my children, observing classes, meeting teachers, going to Mass with the student body, and checking out facilities. My husband and I prayed about the decision. We were ultimately led to enroll our children at Nativity.”

Now, Teresa is also the preschool teacher at Nativity. Her dual role as parent and teacher led her to create a list of the qualities that define Nativity as a school and a Catholic education as a must for her children. Here are some of the characteristics she listed:
 

• When the principal and the parish priest greet my children by name each day.
• When the school holds an assembly that honors not only excellence in academics, but also excellence in character.
• When my children thank God for their food before their lunch.
• When a kindergarten newsletter talks about standards being met, homework that is due, as well as announces the birth of a classmate’s baby sister and requests prayers for a family in need.
• When a 13-year-old girl is proud and excited to cantor at school Masses.
• When a Christmas show is a Christmas show, a celebration of the birth of Christ.
• When morning prayer and morning math are both important parts of my children’s day.
• When my children make cards for a classmate whose grandma has died.
• When my own children are passing their ISTEP tests with flying colors.
• When my children are receiving a quality, solid education from a staff that cares about the whole child.