You can decide how, when, and with whom you will participate.
- By yourself
Click around to determine a plan that will work just for you. Investigate the areas of your greatest concern.
Set aside a specific time to explore one section a week. Light a candle, put on some quiet music, and begin a learning quest
at your pace.
- With a
phone partner or e-mail discussion group. Agree upon a date, time, and the section of the Web site you'll
talk about each time.
- In a small group Agree to look through an assigned Web site section and the related links; then, meet face-to-face
to talk about the implications in your setting.
Caution: Effort Required
There is no "everything you need to know in fifteen minutes or less" program for developing competent teachers — professionals
or volunteers. Professional teachers seeking undergraduate or graduate degrees participate in full courses in each area presented
on this site. Even then they discover that much of the learning happens when they are with students and that teacher training
never ends.
Hopefully, you — as a volunteer — will find the information helpful, the language accessible, and the location
convenient. It's up to you to find a time when you can focus on the information and ideas. And, of course, to relax and enjoy
your experiences with kids.
Developing Lifelong Leaders and Learners
Why did you agree to teach Sunday school? What questions do you have? What do you want for the children in your congregation?
What do you hope will be the end result of your Sunday school ministry for each child as they enter confirmation?
What does your congregation expect of you? One answer to that question is that you will engage children in activities that
help them learn. You can't learn for them. That's their work. This site helps you explore seven areas that help teachers successfully
engage children in focused learning activities.
You'll learn about:
- Kids and Learning
- Human Relations
- Classroom Management
- Content Knowledge
- Planning Skills
- Instructional Materials
- Instructional Skills
Each section introduces you to one of these areas. You'll gain competency and confidence as you read, reflect, talk with
other teachers, and share ideas. You will be encouraged to reflect on how the competency in that area might affect your teaching
and the learning opportunities for children and youth. Each section includes:
- An introduction to basic information and issues
- Links to related Web sites with more detailed information
- Online Reflections — an activity to help you apply the information to your current role
- Linking Volunteers — a guide to help congregational learning planners tailor the training to their specific needs
and create connections between online participants
