At a certain
point you say
to the woods, to the sea,
to the mountains,
the world,
Now I am ready.
Now I will stop and be wholly attentive.
You empty yourself and wait,
listening...
Annie Dillard
Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ 1857 - 1914
Janet Erskine Stuart was born an educator. As a teacher, she sought to give personal worth to each child. Her strong common sense and balanced judgement led her to except of others only what they were capable of giving.
Janet Stuart;
- insisted that all of the teachers work together on behalf of the children.
- believed that each parent had the right to ask of the teachers: 'What have you done with my child, for my child? Show me the trace of your influence on her mind, heart, character and conduct."
- also believed, "it is not so much what we say or do that educates; what really educates is who we are."
- believed that constant growth, development and integration were important. She taught her teachers that to educate was "to fit citizens for the Kingdom of Heaven."
- insisted that educators "bring up children for the future, not for the present"
- felt that careful observation was the key to understanding others, and so she endeavored to train the young religious to be observant.
Some of Janet Stuart's writings:
The Education of Catholic Girls
Highways and By-ways in the Spiritual
Life.
The Janet Erskine Stuart Award