-
February 27, 2015
Tom BurkeThis apple did not fall from the tree. Karen O’Reilly is and alumna of St. Finn Barr School and has been teaching kindergarten there since 1984. She is also a graduate of San Francisco’s Presentation High School and San Francisco State University.
“I always wanted to be a teacher, specifically a kindergarten teacher,” Karen told me via email. A volunteer tutoring program in high school sparked her interest even more. “I decided then that I wanted to make teaching my career. I wanted to become a Catholic school educator so along with teaching academics, I could teach and model Gospel values as I help children grow in our faith and become compassionate children of God.”
Karen is very happy in the primary grades. “In kindergarten, I get to see when a child first learns to read a word. They get so excited. I enjoy supporting parents in their role as primary educators as we work together with high expectations for the success of each child.”
Karen’s daughter, Katie O’Reilly is a member of the math faculty at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. She and Karen’s son, Liam, are both St. Finn Barr graduates.
Karen said that the teaching profession has changed for the better since 1984. Knowledge about learning styles and learning differences among other developments in meeting meet each child’s individual needs has improved learning, she said. “It has been great to see the emphasis on the importance of early childhood education,” she said.
She welcomes technology but not without boundaries. “The challenge is to use it as part of learning while also giving opportunities for problem-solving and learning language skills in other ways. Parents and teachers have an important job in monitoring the use of devices,” she said.
“To those thinking of entering the profession I say ‘Welcome!’ It is a very rewarding career where there is always something new to learn.” A teacher’s backpack should include patience, Karen said. “Be able to problem solve and work closely with parents, administrators and other teachers. My advice to first year teachers is always this: Ask for help when you need it. Luckily, at our Catholic schools, there is always someone willing to help you learn!”
Do we learn everything we need to know in kindergarten? “I am glad that early childhood education has been recognized as important,” she told me. “It is the foundation for all education.”
HAIL HOLY QUEEN: I like the rosary. I am not good at saying it alone – my mysteries recall has faded – but I like saying it with others. That said, the Knights of St. Francis Holy Rosary Sodality has announced the rosary will be prayed Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. at the Porziuncola Nuova, Vallejo Street at Columbus Avenue in San Francisco and everyone is invited. Intentions include “world peace and communion among all peoples,” said Elizabeth Dunn, who is coordinating the weekly service with Jack Tipple. Bring your special intentions too. The Divine Mercy Chaplet follows at 3 p.m. The opportunity for pasta and prayer sounds like a very good thing for all of us to have in our pockets when we visit North Beach though methinks my roots would have me at Buster’s for a post-rosary cheese steak. Remember, too, the Francesco Rocks gift shop on Grant and open every day. Email info@knightsofsaintfrancis.com.
IN ONE EAR: I love Lent and always liked the story of the priest passing a child praying. The words of the Hail Mary were coming out with the speed of machine-gun fire. “Whoa,” the priest offered asking what the child was trying to accomplish. “I’m doing the first part of what sister told us to do during Lent,” the youngster said. “Pray fast and give.”
Email items and electronic pictures – jpegs at no less than 300 dpi to burket@sfarchdiocese.org or mail to Street, One Peter Yorke Way, San Francisco 94109. Include a follow-up phone number. Street is toll-free. My phone number is (415) 614-5634.