A Saint Squad for Teachers: 45 Heavenly Friends to Carry You through the School Year

by Amy J. Cattapan

Every educator needs a friend to turn to when they are facing a rowdy classroom, challenging parent interactions, tense staff meetings, or even just the everyday demands of teaching. Seasoned teacher Amy Cattapan recommends you form a posse of saintly mentors who are always there to offer inspiring examples and powerful intercession.

In A Saint Squad for Teachers, Cattapan introduces you to a team of forty-five diverse and relatable saints ready to lift you up and intercede for you during every twist and turn of the school year. By drawing from the stories and wisdom of these heavenly educators and holy mentors, you’ll not only flourish as a teacher but also tackle the highs and lows of your calling with renewed vigor and unshakeable hope.

This posse includes these much-needed

Thea Bowman for infusing more joy in your classroom Catherine of Siena for nurturing trust and respect with your students Charles Lwanga for protecting you and your students from evil Nicholas Black Elk for embracing the gift of multicultural classrooms Thomas Aquinas for uplifting your underachievers Frances Cabrini for providing strength when resources are stretched thin   Questions for reflection or discussion are included at the end of this chapter. Beyond personal enrichment, A Saint Squad for Teachers can also be used as a mini-retreat, team-building book club, professional development, or gifts for staff. This book also makes an ideal thank-you for cherished teachers and dedicated catechists, acknowledging their profound impact on shaping lives.

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2024

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy J. Cattapan combines her gift for encouraging teachers with the Church's gift of the Communion of Saints in a powerful book that will help teachers do more than just get through the rest of the year.
Amy has assembled a saint squad with the usual suspects: Thomas Aquinas, Don Bosco, Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, and Elizabeth Ann Seton as well as some saints whose connection to teaching is surprisingly strong: Charles Lwanga, Bernadette, Servant of God Thea Bowman, and Blessed Solanus Casey are among the 45 "heavenly friends" teachers can call upon for encouragement, strength, and inspiration. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter invite teachers, homeschoolers, and catechists to consider what they can learn from the example of each of these exemplars. Whether you're looking for help getting creative, building relationships, dealing with challenging students, advocating for change and justice, going above and beyond, teaching in tough times and times of crisis, embracing lifelong learning, persevering in prayer, or following your vocation, Amy can introduce you to saints who will help you along the way. (Netgalley review)

[Andrea Kapina Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Saint Squad for Teachers, is a heavenly professional development for educators. Author Amy Cattapan provides an inspirational collection of teacher-themed Saints stories, reflections, and thought-provoking discussion, for teachers no matter what subject or level of instruction. From stories of Saints with creative teaching techniques to those who taught in times of crisis Cattapan’s book is a consolation for teachers in any stage of their profession and deserves an A+

[Johnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I picked this book up, I learned about a new saint (or someone on the path to sainthood) and how they could intercede for teachers in some way based on their lives. Because the book is fairly short, each saint's story is about 2-4 pages, and there are real world takeaways right afterwards. Some of the writing is a little informal, but it is done that way to connect with the teachers reading it. Overall, very happy that I read it.

[Shai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could tell this book was written by an educator. I enjoyed the way the book was structured - the subtitle tells you the aspiration, there is a brief biography of the saint that encompases it, and direct links, utilizing current pedagogical language to strategies that could be directly incorporated into the classroom.

Although I have almost 2 decades of experience in the field and have left the Church decades ago, the lessons in the book are great reminders of the skill and patience that educators must have day to day not just with the children, but with adults and even themselves a well.

When I was a young child, I remember being fascinated by the live of the saints. Why would God call on these people to do all of these good deeds only to have them die in such gruesome ways? Their stories are memorable and their deeds taught those around them that they did not have to give in to the mischief around them. They could strive to do good things. This book reminded me of that time. Although I no longer consider myself religious, I still found inspiration in the attributes the Saint Squad exhibited and in Ms. Cattapan's suggestions to take things in the classroom with a modicum of faith and grace as we work toward educating our future generations.

I would recommend this book to any teacher looking for inspiration to keep going in the field, parochial teachers and school administrators.