|
|||
 |
 |
Program in Religious Studies and Education |
|
|
|
Mentor Teacher ProfileKaren RussellKaren Russell has been a teacher for more than 20 years. At Lexington High School for the past 10, she has worked with many student teachers, including PRSE students, usually in senior English classes titled "Theology and Literature" and "British Literature." "Theology is a wonderful lens to look at literature, talk about ideas, and build bridges among students," she says, noting that the public high school population of Lexington is diverse, with students raised in Asian religions as well as a range of Jewish and Christian traditions. "Especially in 'Theology and Literature,' we have the full spectrum of people participating in every major religion and atheism all in one class.... Discussions which begin by sharing divergent points of view often help us discover profound commonalities among religious traditions." Karen, who was brought up as an Episcopalian but now attends a United Church of Christ church, admits that discussing religion in a public school "can be daunting," requiring setting and maintaining a high standard of respect for the students and teacher willing to consider deep issues together. In "Theology and Literature," Karen further negotiates the challenges by allowing texts to speak for themselves, by drawing on student knowledge and experience, and by inviting theologians of different traditions to talk about favorite books that illustrate their beliefs. In "British Literature," religious knowledge is often key to understanding the text. "Religion is not beside the point of literature, it's the crucial point of literature: What is behind that symbol and what does it mean? Recognizing a symbol's religious significance opens the door to literary insight," she says. Karen notes that PRSE student teachers bring a spiritual component to their teaching. "The students understand that learning is both an intellectual and spiritual journey that fosters greater understanding of the potential in all of us." In addition, Karen says that the program engages both student teachers and mentor teachers in thinking more critically about teaching. Posted July 2005
|
|
 |
|
|
Copyright 2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. |