Advent Parish Retreat
Hi my name is Jenny Robinson. I have been at the Newman center for 41/2 years. I came from
Holy Spirit because I wanted to be more involved, but they did not have programs for the college
community. My Freshman year I joined CSA (Catholic Student Association).
The next two years I was treasurer for the group and was a part of the group who was fortunate
enough to go see the Pope at World Youth Day in Toronto. Last year I was president of CSA. I
felt that it was my calling to lead my peers
My senior year of High School, I was wondering what my calling was for my life career. Since I
wasn’t sure, I decided to stay in Fresno and figure it out. By my second semester at Fresno
State, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I got into the liberal studies program and knew
I was in the right place. Last year I helped in 1st grade CCD here at the Newman Center.
Yesterday I finished my final student teaching and am ready for the job market.
Why did I pick teaching?
Well it’s all about the GIVING!!!!
I love children and want them to have a quality education. The truth about teaching is that it’s
much more than that.
There are so many broken homes and broken children with broken hearts. Today’s world is not easy
for kids to grow up in.
Last year in my 1st semester of student teaching, I had a student who was suicidal in 4th grade.
A 10year old wanting to take his own life!!!!
WHY?
What could be so bad that he would want to end his life? Well he wanted his father around, but his
dad worked out of town and was not around most of the time. This is how important it is for us to
spend time with our children, they like to see us.
There were many times that he sat in class and was in a daze.
I would ask him how he felt and he would just tell me that he felt icky.
We took many trips to the office to talk to the psychologist. This made me so sad that I can’t even
put words with how I felt.
All I could do was be there for him and give him support. It pained me that I couldn’t take his pain
away. It was this situation that allowed me to see that I could not do anything but teaching.
But, it is not just me who gives.
Many students write me letters, draw me pictures and will even spend all of their pocket change to buy
a keychain for me from the library.
It is a 2 way highway of giving, the students truly appreciate me and all of my efforts.
There’s no place I’d rather be!
When I go to school it doesn’t feel like I am going to work. It is fun and enjoyable.
I hope that each of you has a job that makes you happy.
You’re never too old to change jobs if you are called to do God’s work somewhere else.