Elementary School

Teaching with Grace

Ivy Schmalzried2023-10-10T12:30:05-04:00

“To be entrusted with the teaching of the young is a great gift and grace of God.”- St. John Baptist de la Salle St. John Baptist de la Salle, patron saint of teachers known for his innovative approach to training and mentoring high-quality educators, inspired my initial vocation to teach and has sustained my current mission to serve as Dean of Students. I first received this "grace of God" in 2013 when I took my first job as a teacher at Coates Elementary School in Herndon, Virginia. In 2021, my wife, two children, and I moved to New England for a [...]

Teaching with GraceIvy Schmalzried2023-10-10T12:30:05-04:00

The Miracle of the Mass

Ivy Schmalzried2023-05-22T16:27:14-04:00

Earlier this month I had the joy of witnessing 25 second grade students receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist for the first time. After a year of eagerly preparing for the Sacrament in prayer and study both at home and school, it was an absolutely beautiful moment. Our entire year of religion class culminates in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Throughout the year we follow the story of God’s people from Adam and Eve’s original sin to the long period of waiting for a savior. We learn about Mary’s “yes” to God leading up to Jesus' birth, life, and ministry. [...]

The Miracle of the MassIvy Schmalzried2023-05-22T16:27:14-04:00

God’s Beautiful Classroom

Ivy Schmalzried2023-05-01T20:32:12-04:00

One of my roles at St. Benedict Classical Academy is to facilitate recess duty for teachers. On a typical day, I facilitate five or more recesses outside on our schoolyard turf. I have been at SBCA for eight years and we have always prioritized outside play during the school day. We encourage a schedule where students go outside three times a day, in addition to morning drop-off recess. Children are able to play in the fresh air in all kinds of weather - rain, snow, sleet, sun… anything! (Only once has a child complained to me because of the weather, and [...]

God’s Beautiful ClassroomIvy Schmalzried2023-05-01T20:32:12-04:00

The best seat in the (school)house.

Ivy Schmalzried2023-04-24T12:18:05-04:00

Eight years ago I answered a job post that seemed to perfectly combine my love of working with people and my Catholic faith. Honestly, it seemed too good to be true. But when I left my interview, I called my husband and said I needed to be a part of this new exciting school. It was everything I loved! I feel so blessed to still be here almost a decade later. On the days I arrive early to work, I love to sit quietly in our beautiful schoolhouse chapel. The calm of the school, the peace of Jesus in the chapel, [...]

The best seat in the (school)house.Ivy Schmalzried2023-04-24T12:18:05-04:00

Finding Our Calcutta

Ivy Schmalzried2023-04-03T11:07:54-04:00

One recent February day just before the dawn of Lent, in our St. Benedict Classical Academy (SBCA) Pre-Kindergarten classroom at our St Placid Campus, I was preparing to lead an activity that would help our little ones begin to have an understanding of the Beatitudes. Truthfully I am just as much a learner about our Catholic faith as even our youngest student - our Faith is an ongoing and lifelong pursuit. I started by pondering and praying about each Beatitude and each of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity, and how they applied to my role in the classroom. [...]

Finding Our CalcuttaIvy Schmalzried2023-04-03T11:07:54-04:00

The Gift of Jesus

Ivy Schmalzried2022-12-12T20:50:45-05:00

The virtue of the month of December is charity. Charity, when explained simply to children, is “helping others and being kind.” In the classroom I like to use these examples to explain it to my Kindergarten students - if their friend is sad, try to cheer them up; if a teacher needs help cleaning the classroom, help out in any way, even if it is small. At home, in order to foster charity, whenever we notice or hear about charitable things our children have done, we should compliment them! Make sure to encourage the behavior, reward it, and let the children [...]

The Gift of JesusIvy Schmalzried2022-12-12T20:50:45-05:00

Be near us, oh Lord!

Ivy Schmalzried2023-03-10T12:21:55-05:00

“I want to be the priest, no I want to be the priest!” How often is it that you hear this phrase during daily life? For me, it is a pretty common occurrence. This year my office is in St. Placid, where our pre-school campus is located. Our pre-Kindergarten program at SBCA is a perfect blend of Montessori instruction and faith formation through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Students experience the beauty and wonder of their faith through exploring the items of the Mass firsthand, singing and praying together, and learning about their faith in their daily life. One of the [...]

Be near us, oh Lord!Ivy Schmalzried2023-03-10T12:21:55-05:00

The Gift of Song – St. Romanos

Ivy Schmalzried2022-09-27T13:09:55-04:00

We all have God-given talents that we are called to share with the world. One talent that lies within each of us is our voice. Whether it is singing on or off-key, music is a powerful tool that inspires and connects. This Saturday, October 1st, is Saint Romanos the Melodist’s feast day. He was born in the 5th century and is known as a composer and hymnographer.St. Romanos didn’t always have the gift of song. He was of average musical talent but had a deep desire to praise and glorify God. During his life, the tradition for morning prayers was that [...]

The Gift of Song – St. RomanosIvy Schmalzried2022-09-27T13:09:55-04:00

Elementary School

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