From Student to Teacher
Carissa’s daughters followed her into the classroom—and now teach their own
Shortly after Matt and I were married, we bought a home on the west side of town and began searching for a church “home.” Peace felt like a natural fit from the very beginning—we were warmly welcomed by a congregation filled with young families, appreciated the strong sense of community, and quickly connected with the pastors, whose sermons were impactful.
When our oldest daughter, Alexa, was old enough for Sunday School, I volunteered to teach her class. I had no formal teaching background and had never taught Sunday School before, but Peace needed volunteers, so I decided to give it a try. Looking back, it must have been a positive experience, because more than ten years later, I’m still in the classroom! One of the things I love most about Sunday School is seeing the excitement the children bring each week. Every weekly lesson connects to that week’s sermon, allowing children to hear the same Scripture and themes their parents are hearing during worship.
Both Alexa and our middle daughter, Alivia, looked forward to helping in my classroom once they reached sixth grade. Today, they each teach their own Sunday School classes. When I first volunteered, I never imagined my children would follow in my footsteps, but I am incredibly proud of the way they have chosen to serve and invest their time in the church.
Over the years, our children have also been active in Vacation Bible School, summer music camp, and Christmas programs. Because Alexa and Alivia both love theater and music, these opportunities have been a perfect fit for them. Alexa, now 15, says she initially became involved in teaching Sunday School because she had the opportunity to co-teach with her friend Grace. Her favorite part is building relationships with the kids and joining in the games and activities. Alivia, now 13, has a passion for singing and dancing and loves participating in Peace’s musicals. One of her favorite experiences was being part of the liturgical dance ensemble during last year’s adult Christmas concert; she thought it was so cool she could wear large, iridescent wings and pretend she was an angel!
As a family, we have also enjoyed the Faith Formation Milestone events. These celebrations create meaningful opportunities to connect with each of our children at important moments in their faith journeys. Most recently, our 10-year-old daughter Charlotte celebrated her First Communion, and one of her favorite parts was painting her own communion cup, a keepsake that made the occasion even more memorable.
Volunteering for Sunday School is one of the most rewarding ways to serve at church. You don’t need special training or a teaching background, just a willingness to spend time with children and share God’s love. The relationships you build and the impact you make can last a lifetime. What began as a small step of volunteering for me has become a decade-long ministry that has strengthened my faith, created lasting memories, and even inspired my own children to serve. You may be surprised by how much you receive from the experience, too.