Meg Benedik didn’t plan on acquiring the unique skill set she brings to the Children’s Ministry at Hope in her new volunteer position as Mentor Teacher. As an undergrad with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology, her sites were set on social work. It wasn’t until she was working for AmeriCorps in the years following college that she got some exposure to an elementary classroom setting—and a vision.
“The classroom was a place where I could see how I could make a difference,” she says. This realization led her to begin pursuing a Masters degree in Educational Psychology. While working towards her degree, she also gained valuable experience and a teaching certificate through working at a private school.
Meg has recently come onboard in a volunteer role as Mentor Teacher. She brings a unique blend of skills and experience to the Children’s Ministry at Hope: knowledge of how to implement curriculum and organize a classroom, a deep understanding of how various developmental factors influence children, and a love for Jesus and desire to see Christian teachers and young people grow in their relationship with Him. Her primary areas of focus will be 1) equipping teachers to connect with the kids and run a smooth classroom, and 2) celebrating all the great things the teachers are doing.
Meg is excited about building relationships with all the volunteers and seeing how she can walk alongside them in the classroom. “I want the teachers to feel like they have ownership over what they’re doing,” Meg says. “I want to help them strike a balance between administering the lesson and building relationships.”
Some of the ideas Meg has for building into the Children’s Ministry include incorporating journals into the classroom so that teachers have a way of sharing information with one another and opening a dialogue; a prayer journal for kids to learn how to communicate with God while also giving teachers a deeper glimpse into their lives; and a new schedule for the morning lesson that will build in time for different activities, allowing for active little bodies to get some energy out (a critical step for focusing minds!).
Anna McMichael, Director of Children’s Ministry, has been working closely with Meg to identify where and how her God-given and faithfully developed skills can best be put to use. “Meg is full of ideas on how to create a fun, kid-focused classroom where the children really feel at home and enjoy learning together. She will provide new teaching strategies and coaching to our teachers in any area where they want more support.”
Ultimately, one of the main goals of the Children’s Ministry is to teach our children how to follow Jesus. We are grateful for the way our Lord has brought someone in who can help facilitate that crucial mission.
Have you recently taken time to consider what skills, experience, and training God has given you? Have you recently considered different ways God may have been preparing you so that your wisdom and experiences may be put to use for His Kingdom? Now is a great time! Click here to read why Pastor Dean believes discovering and doing the “good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10) is essential, not only for Meg but for all followers of Jesus.