The summer was far from restful but staying busy is something I prefer to do because sitting around always makes the days feel longer. Aside from me joining the St. A's community my son was also going to be a part of the community as he was scheduled to start there in the fall. However, he was also going to take a pre-Algebra summer school class so I would drop him off and then stick around and do everything from and setting up my classroom to meeting with other teachers and staff members.
Once summer school finished I had some time to take my family on vacation before heading off the Philadelphia, PA to complete my final required course for certification through the Theology of the Body Institute. It was a wonderful experience and I remember being really excited at the idea of sharing this beautiful teaching with my new school community. My week in Philly went by really fast because I was so focused on finishing my class and learning as much as I could.
On July 25, 2017 I arrived to the Big Heart Coffee House to meet with my new colleagues. Everyone was very kind and welcomed me and the other new teachers with great love and kindness. I was really surprised how loud these people were but I was far from uncomfortable in this setting. That is because these people were filled with joy as they were having a great time being together again after their summer break. As we went around the room introducing ourselves I was really impressed with how many teachers shared how their faith journey brought them to St. A's with many of these teachers NOT being theology teachers. That was very moving because I had spent years at other schools where many of the non-theology teachers weren't exactly fond of the Catholic mission of the school, which at times made my job somewhat difficult since these same people would at times using class time to share their views with the students rather than focus on their own curriculum. Immediately I could see that I would not have the same problem at St. A's. Aside from that it also made me to take a good look at myself to see how much I would have to live my own faith in order to fit in with this community so there was much work to be done on my part.
This new community included someone I had worked with at my previous school along with a former student who was in my class 10 years ago during my first run at St. A's. Everyone was genuinely interested in what I was going to bring to the school and offered their support in any way. Most people were really curious about the percussion ensemble as this was something that the school never had before. That was a great feeling to say the least and excited me as well.
Between all of our required meetings, compliance and training sessions I had time to work on both my theology classroom and my percussion room. It was especially exciting to see the percussion room come together once the instruments started to arrive. Everyone loved the look of the school logo on the cymbals provided by Soultone Cymbals. Once the drums were tuned up I hit them and boy were these drums loud! We will definitely need ear plugs and some extra dampening on the drums.
Our first faculty Mass at neighboring St. Francis de Sales parish was very moving to me. Each teacher came dressed up a bit more than I am used to seeing and demonstrated great reverence for the presence of our Lord in the Eucharist. When the presiding priest offered his blessing to all of us for the upcoming school year everyone in the congregation offered their words of encouragement and then it was back to work for more beginning of the school year meetings. Again, I can feel how much this was going to impact me as a practicing Catholic.
Two more days of prepping before the students would arrive and for me the beginning of the school is never official until I have taught my first class. First we had freshmen orientation on August 2, 2017, which is also my 20th Wedding Anniversary (real life doesn't stop for milestone dates). Aside from this being my first day back with students at St. A's it was also my son's first day of high school with his entire class. It was a good day as volunteer students from grades 10-12 led activities and helped the incoming freshmen (and new teachers) find their way around the campus.
The next two days were spent splitting our 8 class schedule into what we call at St. A's the red schedule (periods 1-4) and grey schedule (periods 5-8). Therefore, it took me two days to meet and get acquainted with my new students. Four of my classes were sophomore theology, which is a class I taught or the first time last year. Most of these classes are smaller than I was used to but I appreciated the way that it allowed me to get personal with my students right away. Then I met with my beginning percussion class and that was very eye opening to say the least. First off, my son is part of the class so I am looking forward to sharing this experience with him but each of the other students were very excited once I told them what I had planned for them. We have a lot of work to do but their enthusiasm and my desire to pass on as much as I can to them is going to create something really special. Finally, I also have a freshmen seminar class where I am assisting these new high school students to all that high school has to offer both academically and personally. This is new for me but I am grateful for the fact that I am not working on this class alone.
Aside from my time with my new students I have also had some time to work with and spend some time personally with many of my new colleagues. Aside from them continuing to be so welcoming and supportive we have had some laughs, some great conversations about our teaching experiences while also having some time to share a little about ourselves. I am privileged to be a part of this faculty and look forward to working with and learning from these amazing people.
This new start has been a good one but I can feel the challenge that lies ahead. I am doing more work than I have done in years so the fatigue factor is already there. Aside from that, no school year is without obstacles and frustrations and I would be lying if I didn't say that such things haven't already occurred. However, as a veteran teacher I have lived with that my whole career and waited patiently for it to occur because that's just part of the gig. Thankfully, these things have been handled swiftly and properly and everyone involved dealt with the situation and moved on. I believe that this has already given me a glimpse of what to expect from my new colleagues so I am committed to being able to offer them the same response when it comes to helping them through similar things.
God is good but God also demands a lot from us. I have already felt these demands and they are indeed taking a lot out of me but the work has been rewarding so I have already felt the blessings that come from following what I believe was the will of divine Providence. Such a thing requires us to stretch ourselves while at times leaving things we love behind but in the end it is always rewarding for everyone involved. I look forward to the unfolding of this plan over the next several years.
Finally, my son's start to his high school career has gone very well. Each day I see a young man who is comfortable with his new surroundings so as a father I could not be happier. He is in a place where he is safe because he is already loved and for a young man like him I couldn't ask for more.
Carlos Arthur Solorzano
@csolorzano18
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