Summary of Findings

Teaching is ministry and spiritual practice. Framing and deepening the experience of teaching as a faith building, soul-enriching practice is at the heart of religious educators' future visions—for teachers and their wider congregations.
There are tensions between providing faith-deepening experiences for teachers and providing pragmatic resources for religious education programs. These tensions arise from scarcity of time, money and person-power.
There is a need for efficient delivery of basic training materials about UU faith, child and youth development, multiple intelligences, behavior/group management, and for curricula that provide enriching experiences including stories, games, crafts, and music.
There is a need to provide teachers with more in-depth background for specific curricula and programs, including connection to Unitarian Universalist faith.
There is a need to provide avenues to connect teachers to each other and to their work in lifespan faith development programs thereby enhancing their spiritual and faith development journeys and strengthening their commitment to teaching.

Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.