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The three pillars of Magis:
academics, community, and spirituality
By Becky Berreth
 Katie Falkowski, from Sandwich, Mass., knew she wanted to volunteer when she graduated from college. She applied for and was accepted into several different programs including a program called Magis at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. She had never considered teaching, but had been told by friends and family that she would make a good teacher.
“It was with the help of my spiritual director that I was able to pray about my decision and ended up in Magis,” she said. “I really feel that this is where God wants me to be right now and it is through him that I ended up here.” She is teaching religion at St. Elizabeth Seton Middle School in Rapid City.
Magis, a Latin word meaning “the more,” asks participants to respond to the question from St. Ignatius’ spiritual exercises, “what more can I do for Christ?” by making a two-year commitment to teach in under-resourced Catholic schools. While teaching, Magis teachers take online courses from Creighton to earn their masters degrees in one of two areas of study – a Masters in Education for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in education and a Masters of Teacher or Education Leadership for those who are interested in a leadership position in the future, i.e., department chair or principal.
After a student has been accepted into the program, Magis staff begin the process of placing students in Catholic schools. In the Diocese of Rapid City, Molly Davies, director of the Magis program at Creighton, works with school superintendents in an effort to meet the needs expressed by their principals. Teacher candidates typically fly or drive to see the school or meet with school officials to make sure the placement is a good fit. “When there are openings, I communicate with the individual schools. They look through qualified applicants and then decide if they want to bring any in for an interview,” explained Davies. “It is time consuming, but we really value transparency and discernment to make sure the right teacher candidate ends up where his/her gifts can be nourished and are of value to the community.”
At the center of the program are academics, community, and Ignatian spirituality. Participants teach and take classes, live together in a community, and take time to hold monthly faith sharing sessions.
“This first semester was tough,” said Timothy Barth, a science teacher at Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge. “I always had my own class work in the back of my mind while I was working. It really is hard to find that balance.”
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Katie Falkowski, Rapid City, and Anne Grass, Red Cloud, pose for a photo after Red Cloud students arrive at St. Thomas More High School to meet their pen pals. |
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Generally students take one or two courses while they are teaching in addition to the required course “Practicum/Advanced Practicum in Catholic Education.” In the second year it is titled “Internship/Advanced Internship in Catholic Education.” This course includes six classroom visits by Magis staff to evaluate program participants. Magis teachers must also submit lesson plans to be graded throughout the year.
According to Falkowski, things can get busy, but “if you are doing things you love, it becomes easier to manage your time,” she said. “It is also nice to have people to turn to for questions and support that know what you are going through.”
Often times that support comes from other Magis teachers living in the same community. “Our community living style forces us to focus on supporting each other throughout the year,” agreed Barth.
Barth, along with fellow Magis teachers and other Red Cloud volunteers live in two cabins near the Red Cloud campus. Red Cloud second grade teacher, Sister Christie Udebor, SSL, said that the group divides the responsibilities and chores, but they make a point to meet once a week over a meal. “Each member has roles and responsibilities to make the house a home for everyone,” she said.
In Rapid City, three Magis teachers share a home and also make it a point to get together once a week over a meal or, “just to watch a movie,” explained Falkowski.
“It is an intentional community,” added St. Thomas More High School (STM) English teacher Kathryn Wetzel. “We have started holding a weekly community examen modeled after the Jesuit Examen of Consciousness – a prayer said twice a day to find the movement of God’s spirit in daily life.”
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Kathryn Wetzel. (WRC photo) |
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“During this time, we reflect on the highs and lows for the week and discuss how we have been doing as a community. The meeting usually ends with the more business-like concerns of a community such as chores,” Wetzel said.
It is that spirit of community that inspired Falkowski and Red Cloud English teacher Anne Grass to begin building a relationship between the students at Red Cloud and STM. In January of 2009, sophomores from the two schools began writing letters to each other. In May the students were able to meet in Rapid City. The two teachers have continued the project into this school year — this time the STM students traveled to Red Cloud.
Magis teachers from the two schools also met last year for monthly faith sharing; however this year, the two schools have enough teachers to hold separate meetings. Teachers in Rapid City meet with Sister Marie Schwan, CSJ, to reflect on both the good and the difficult events from the past month. Sister Schwan prepares prayers, readings, and reflection questions for the group.
Teachers at Red Cloud hold their own spirituality nights and they have the opportunity to participate in traditional Lakota ceremonies and prayers. “I am always nourished by praying in the Lakota ways and traditions,” said Grass.
“The sweat lodges really help us to focus on our spirituality in a very physical sense, and it helps us to share all of our struggles together,” Barth added.
“For me, I feel blessed to be a part of a program that has so many intelligent, energetic, and passionate young teachers,” said Falkowski. “It is great to have them to support me and to work with me.”
(There are currently eight teachers — three in the Rapid City Catholic School System and five at Red Cloud Indian School — that are teaching in the diocese as part of the Magis program.)
Magis teachers in the diocese
Who they are, where they are from, degree, what they teach, and where they teach
Timothy Barth — Omaha, Neb., Masters in Education, science,
Red Cloud High School
Lauren Brunault — Palmer, Mass., Masters in Education, religion,
St. Thomas More High School
Urse Charbonneau — Kansas City, Kan., Masters in Education, social studies,
Red Cloud Middle School
Katie Falkowski — Sandwich, Mass., Masters in Education, religion,
St. Elizabeth Seton Middle School
Anne Grass — St. Louis, Mo., Masters in Education, English,
Red Cloud High School
Mallory Jurgensen — Omaha, Neb., Masters in Elementary Counseling, kindergarten, Red Cloud Elementary School
Sr. Christie Udebor, SSL — Nigeria, Masters in Teacher Leadership, second grade,
Red Cloud Elementary School
Kathryn Wetzel — Fairborn, Oh., Masters in Education Leadership, English,
St. Thomas More High School
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