By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

Eitrem honored for work with preschoolers

PARK FALLS --"Kids have always been a big part of my life," said Ann Eitrem, a volunteer catechist at St. Anthony de Padua Parish for over 10 years. She has worked with children most of her life, not only as a catechist, but also as a day care teacher, a kindergarten aid and a mother of four.

This year Eitrem was honored for her work when she received the Gloria Lang Award for outstanding support in ministry. She was presented with the award at the Fall Teacher/Catechist Institute in Rice Lake on Oct. 9 and said the award came as a huge surprise.

Originally from Butternut, Eitrem attended classes at Northcentral Technical College in Phillips and moved to Park Falls when she was married.

In 1994, former pastor Fr. Aloys Ebach, CPPS, said he was interested in starting a religious education program for the preschoolers at St. Anthony de Padua Parish. Because of her love for children, Eitrem jumped at the chance to start such a program.

"Fr. Al called the kids out of Mass one Sunday, and we brought them over to the preschool room and had class with them for half an hour," she said. Eitrem added that children aged 3 to 5 don't get much out of Mass, and "it's a good way for the kids to get out of Mass, and a way for parents to be able to sit through Mass."

"It's a good program and it's really taken off," Eitrem said. There are about 20 preschoolers currently in the class, and she hopes the program continues to grow.

Eitrem said the teachers usually divide the class into two 15 minute parts. They spend the first half with a story or class activity relating to the Gospel. "Basically, little kids know right from wrong, it's just hard for them to put it into 'what would Jesus do' terms," she said.

She and Pat Hess, another preschool teacher, often give the children hands on examples through role playing activities. One time they taught preschoolers lessons about sharing by bringing in candy and refusing to share it with the children at the start of class.

The students usually spend the second half of class working on a craft project. Eitrem said teachers try to keep the projects simple and always have music playing in the background. She described one project in which the children enjoyed illustrating the creation on accordion style paper.

Eitrem said the preschoolers also participate in a special meal at Lent. They set up the tables, serve the sandwiches and desserts and always sing before or after the meal.

As of this fall, Eitrem has moved away from teaching preschoolers and now works with first graders. She said the class meets Wednesdays after school, at a time and location that fits much more conveniently into her busy schedule.

According to Eitrem, teaching first graders is very similar to teaching preschoolers. The class is slightly smaller, but she still does role playing activities and encourages the children to think about how they can be like Jesus. Now she relates more of the lessons and concepts to school related situations.

She finds working with children to be rewarding because, "Kids give so much. They are so honest and so eager to please, and if you encourage kids in any way, they will give back a hundredfold."

However, Eitrem admits that it takes a lot of energy and patience to work with young children, and sometimes she gets tired and frustrated with them. She credits Deacon Chester E. Ball as being a positive mentor over the years. "He has always encouraged me, and he has not ever let me give up," she said.

Overall, Eitrem said, "I hope that I set a good example for the kids. I try to be positive in things that I say and do. And I think touching and hugging is important, and kids need to be on the receiving end of that."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002