It has been the roller coaster that Catholic school teachers come to expect and I wouldn't change a thing. There were so many great days with me not really having a tough day until the middle of the second semester. The tough days were never easy and there were some moments when it really weighed me down but with each situation I could see that it was both a moment for me to do all that I could for my colleagues and students who needed my help while also learning even more about what it means to work with young people in such a complex world.
Overall I am just thankful because it has been one of the best rides I had during my 22 years of teaching. My colleagues were simply amazing as I was welcomed immediately and most importantly, accepted as an equal without having to prove myself and/or playing some type of political game. This is because these wonderful peers of mine, who themselves are super talented and loving only cared about what needed to be done to best serve our community with little regard for who actually did it. I especially felt that from my colleagues in the theology department to welcomed me as one of their own from the very beginning. That was a great way to start the year and I can't put into words how much that meant to me.
My classes were great as I taught Sophomore Theology, Beginning Percussion and Freshmen Seminar. As always, my theology classes were amazing because young people always have great questions and discussion points. They certainly kept me on my toes in so many ways and I have always been grateful for such students because when they act in this way that means that they are really thinking about the things that we covered in class.
Freshmen Seminar was a great experience as well since the class focused on preparing young people for the high school experience. I was always happy to share insights I had from my memories of being a high school student while also letting them see the teacher's point of view on the many things that they will experience both as students and as teens going through this challenging time of their lives.
Finally, I did a whole lot of drumming at work this year and it was so fulfilling in so many ways. Of course being a professional drummer everyone knew that the class was very personal to me but to have my son in the class made it even more meaningful. Aside from that, seeing my students grow and have lots of fun doing it made it that much better. Aside from several performances at school we also traveled all over the Diocese of Tucson performing at feeder schools to raving reviews along with our big performance in Phoenix for the Catholic Schools Rally, which was an absolute blast. We were the only group to do an encore and we were honored to receive such a request.
On a personal level I can honestly say that I had a chance to work with some of the most amazing people ever. Aside from the things they did in the classroom they really cared about everyone at the school! For me I was most moved when I'd have a gig and then looked out and saw so many of them occupying the venue and cheering louder than anyone else who was there. Moments like that as well as the times we had sharing a meal or having a chat outside of class where we talked about our personal lives were very special to me. In that regard I really felt like I was a part of a Catholic community because I could really feel how much they cared about everyone who took part in these discussions.
As we approached the end of the year I had to deal with the expected emotions that come with saying goodbye to our graduating students. I am also very excited for them as I know they will go on to do some amazing things in the future. It's also hard to say goodbye to colleagues that I only had a chance to work with for a short time because they are such amazing people who I will miss very much. But life is about change and I know that God is leading them where He needs them right now and having seen them share their gifts at St. A's I know that they will continue to shine wherever they go.
I am also excited for the future as I have already met some of my new colleagues that will join us next school year while also receiving my teaching assignment. I will continue to teach the Freshmen Seminar class as well as Beginning Percussion. However, I am now scheduled to teach one section of Junior theology, which includes Morality and Sacraments, which are two classes I have taught several times in the past. I am also teaching each section of Senior Theology, which includes Christian Vocations and Apologetics. I am very excited about this because the first part of the CV class is going to have me sharing the teachings of Pope Saint John Paul II including his famous Theology of the Body. The Apologetics class allows me to get real philosophical with the students as we cover big topics that are common in debates over faith and religion. It's going to be a great joy as well as a great challenge but again, I am grateful for St. A's belief in what they think I can offer the students. Aside from that, these are branches of theology that I really enjoy so hopefully my enthusiasm will rub off on my students.
So here's to another great year of teaching and I will credit that to both my students and colleagues who made it such a great year for me. Now it's time for some rest before I prepare for yet another school year. I am looking forward to having a new group of students as well as my new classes. I am also looking forward to working again with my colleagues who are returning to St. A's as well as meeting my new colleagues and seeing all of the gifts they will bring to our community. Of course there will be new challenges that await me but I will meet them head on because I know that I won't have to face them alone.
For now, it's time to enjoy my summer.
Carlos Arthur Solorzano
@csolorzano18
