- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
This morning I was extended a calling to teach in the primary. I asked to think about it and tell them my answer next week. I’m leaning towards no because of my non traditional views, but I wondered what thoughts you all had. I also thought about saying I’d be willing to teach adults but warn them about my views and let the bishop decide. Thoughts? Tatania I currently teach Primary and like it. The nice thing about teaching primary is you have the ability to be somewhat selective in what you teach the children. For example, last year the emphasis was Church History which you might expect to be difficult to teach if your views are nontraditional. But given that children aren’t really that interested in history, the lesson manuals build the stories around basic gospel principles. So when I taught about some of the things that went on in Jackson County, I was able to point out (without rancor) that the people in Jackson County were a little intimidated by all these Mormons moving in and that may have been ONE factor contributing to the issues the early Church members faced. (Rather than painting all the nonmembers of Jackson County as evil people). Today, I’m teaching about Daniel in the Lion’s Den. And the emphasis of my lesson is not just prayer and fasting (which is what the manual directs) but also courage to stand up for your beliefs (not in the manual but still a good point to make). So even if you don’t really believe in the Mormon conception of God and think that prayer is a waste of time, you can still talk about courage which all of need at some point. Some of the events that we cover in Primary I think of as inspiring stories that teach good lessons rather than a recounting of historical events. Anyway,that’s how I handle it.
In the end, the children just need another adult rather than parents to take an interest in them. I wouldn’t attempt to indoctrinate but rather care about them. That’s what my students seem to need more than lessons. But you do what works for you. Personally, I like a break from Sunday School and Priesthood. There’s a lot more nonsense going on in those meetings some days than what goes on Primary.
The decision to accept or not accept the calling is really up to you, not us. As Gerald points out, in any teaching situation we have the choice what to teach or emphasize. The Primary lessons are generally quite broad and focus on basic principles. I should just note that I have always been of the “do no harm” mindset – it is not my responsibility to try to convert others to my way of thinking. If I felt that I could not stick to that and teach Primary, I would refuse the calling. Fwiw, I think Primary Teacher is a wonderful calling for those who struggle with what is taught in adult classes. Ultimately, it’s up to you – but is there a different calling you would like more and which you might be able to do? If not, serving in some way is an important compromise, imo.
I loved primary and wish I could go back (in HP group leadership now). The lessons give some latitude on what you want to present, so I always chose to focus on the areas of teaching that encourage us as people be good to one another. Ultimately, your choice, but I think for people like us it can work well.
Thanks for your input. I’ve never taught primary or had anything to do with it before which is another reason I was hesitating. It’s good to know there’s a little leeway with the lessons. Apparently I’ll be Co-teaching and the whole primary will do sharing time and then class. There was a primary program about a month back and several things were presented that made me want to strangle someone, but that happens no matter what. Part of me thinks this calling is an effort to activate me since I only come every couple of weeks and stay for the first two hours. I don’t know how I would handle so much more church. From my experience the hardest part of Primary callings isn’t the doctrines – after all most doctrines have to be simplified for children – but the most difficult thing is that adults don’t interact with other adults as much. In other words they would rather be in Relief Soceity or Priesthood. However, for some adults that’s the very reason they love Primary – no adults and no troublesome doctrine. I know I loved my calling as primary pianist and I was in the nursery for 3 years. Just teach the children to love fishes and love their bodies and have fun and eat snacks.
One thing — from experience — there is an epidemic in the church within primaries where the teachers just plain don’t show up, don’t call, don’t get a substitute — they just don’t show up. So, the first thing I’d consider is whether you’ve got a commitment to not be one of those teachers. I would not tell the Bishop about your unorthodox views and then “let him decide” as that may well shut you out of a ton of other service opportunities you might want in the future. I would self-govern on what I teach in the class.
I would also consider how you will feel looking at a lessons and realizing you can’t teach much of it and still be authentic. Are you prepared to perhaps skip that lesson, or be creative and use the time to teach some related concept that you CAN teach with integrity? I was able to do this as a HPG teacher and a Gospel Essentials teacher back in my early days of unorthodoxy, so I have a feeling you should be able to do it successfully with children — who, in my view, need activities more than lessons, even on Sunday.
Those are the things I would think about when deciding…
Depending on the kids in the class, that strangle reflex might need some restraining! I would have no issue with the lessons, but the kids can be trying – and also the best part about being in Primary. If you do it, try to commit to really loving the kids as you #1 item for a while and see if you can handle that. On the other hand if rowdy kids get under your skin quickly… It’s really hard to not end up loving those kids. And your lesson time doesn’t need to be all lesson. I like to give them a chance to talk about their lives. Good luck if you go ahead! You’ve already got some good advice here, but I’m currently a primary teacher so I thought I’d weigh in. Advantages: flexibility on what you teach–simplified lessons that can fit your beliefs, can play games or show videos, get to miss adult classes, not too demanding–can prepare lessons in 30 minutes
Disadvantages: if your team teacher is orthodox they might add comments to your lessons you don’t agree with, may have to hear annoying teachings in sharing time, kids can be hard to deal with!
This next year the older kids will be getting the New Testament. This will be the easiest book to do for me. The D&C and Church history year was rough for me, this year with Old Testament wasn’t too bad. The younger kids get topical lessons. Right now my husband is my team teacher so I get to be more free in lessons, but even with more orthodox team teachers I didn’t struggle too much, nothing like the adult classes! I teach the oldest primary class, and while that age can be pretty silly and distracted they are more reasonable and ask good questions. Whenever they bring up doctrinal questions I really like to take the time to let them think about it and don’t just give them a standard answer. I’ve asked to stay in this calling and with this age group for next year since for me it’s the best place to be based on my faith issues.
This could be a blessing in disguise, really. I think you’ll be (for the most part) pleasantly surprised at how much leeway you have in teaching these extremely simple lessons. If you ask the kids lots of questions, too, they will entertain you endlessly. It is comforting to know I will probably struggle less with lessons in primary than I do in the adult class. I think my fear of teaching has been put aside thanks to the great comments. Now I am worried about the time commitment. I am at best a part time church goer (in fact I sometimes attend a local baptist church) and am worried about accepting a calling that would require me to attend every Sunday. I don’t want to say yes and then only show up some of the time, that wouldn’t be fair to my Co teacher but all three hours every Sunday….. 
Two options: 1) If possible, co-teach by having each of you teach every other lesson. If that is acceptable to the other teacher, you wouldn’t have to be there every week, especially at first.
2) Go only to the last two hours – maybe all three hours occasionally. You would be committing to teach Primary, not to attend other meetings all the time.
You can attend all three hours every week if you want to do that, but you aren’t committing to do that.
I agree with Ray about trading off with your “co-teacher.” It’s the only way to go. You will doubtless each have different styles, and that way if the other co-teacher wants to go to the adult class those weeks, it’s possible (unless you need crowd control). The other tip with Primary is bring treats and save to the end (also for crowd control). Use games to get attention at the beginning, and be creative! I used lots of games that were only very marginally related to the lesson.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.