Pursue education as profession again? ‘Absolutely,’ St. Anne’s teacher says

April 3, 2015
Tom Burke

Pat Meek has been at the teaching wheel for 42 years, all at St. Anne School, San Francisco. “I have taught fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades,” Pat told me in an email. She has taught approximately 2,500 students during the four-plus decades.

Pat’s first grade teacher at St. Paul School, San Francisco, a Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was her inspiration to be an educator. “I wanted to be like her,” Pat said. “I remember how kind and cheerful she was as she welcomed us each day.”

Pat’s first grade teacher at St. Paul School, San Francisco, Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Bernadette Giles, was her inspiration to be an educator. “I wanted to be like her,” Pat said. “I remember how kind and cheerful she was as she welcomed us each day.” Sister Bernadette was a religious for 76 years and died in 2008.

A major influence on Pat’s approach to education was the late Noreen O’Reilly, a longtime teacher at St. Anne’s. “Noreen taught me how important each child is and how important it is to always find something about each one of them to praise. From her, I learned to strike the balance between giving students real responsibility and supporting them so they don’t fail.”

Pat has “loved” her time at St. Anne’s. “The moments I cherish most tend to be the quiet moments when I feel a spark of connection with a student or a small group gathered at my desk,” she said. “I have also loved being co-moderator of a very active Student Council, helping students to develop leadership skills that will serve them the rest of their lives. Another highlight for me is when former students return to visit. It is a joy to see how they have grown and how appreciative they are of the education and the love they received at St. Anne’s.”

Pat said teaching has changed but the kids remain the same. “I take as much delight in them today as I did 40 years ago,” she said.

Pat’s not sitting still when it comes to teaching technique. “As I have integrated technology with my curriculum, I have learned that sometimes getting out of the way is the best teaching technique,” she said. .

For those considering life as a teacher Pat says: “Remember you are teaching the whole child not just a subject.”

“I cannot look back on my teaching years without acknowledging the many talented teachers I have worked with over the years,” Pat said. “Their dedication to God and the students, and their joy in their work, has been a constant inspiration to me.”

Would teaching be her choice again? “Absolutely!” she said.

CONGRATS: San Mateo Pro Life held an oratory contest for high school students March 12. Contestants gave original talks on a pro-life topic of their choice. Cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50 were given to winners. Home-schooled sophomore Hannah Coston, placed first, speaking on “The Aborted Women,” California Virtual Academies sophomore Kayla Schleining, placed second with “Life: Pin-Pointing the Start”; Notre Dame High School senior Ciera Folan placed third with “Everyone Deserves Life.”

ABOUT HUNGER: As we close in on Easter, youth are invited to carry over the Lent pillar of fasting to a Food Fast April 18 at St. Peter Parish, Pacifica benefiting Catholic Relief Services. “This is a very powerful and engaging one-day retreat for middle school and high school youth to reflect on God’s call to serve each of our neighbors in need by learning about those who are living in poverty and hunger,” said Ynez Lizarraga, director of youth ministry for the archdiocese. Register for Food Fast at www.sforeym.org/node/303.

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.