My first assignment to the US was to San Jose in Jacksonville, Florida, for one year in 1974. I had been teaching in Ireland for eleven years before spreading my wings. I will never forget my first Sunday in this new parish, in a foreign country, far away from home! Having attended Mass I was introduced to many parishioners and families, all warm and welcoming. On that Sunday afternoon one of the Sisters took me on a tour of the parish. We drove down the main street, San Jose Boulevard and it was a shock for me to discover that every other building was a Church of one denomination or another. I had never encountered these Churches in Ireland at that time – Southern Baptist, First Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran. There was an odd Catholic Church in the mix.
There was a great diversity in the parish and school communities, with families from Cuba, Lebanon, the Philippines, Arabic countries and ‘natives’ from Florida. The school which reflected all these demographics and the climate were overwhelming at first, but by degrees I adapted.
The school year commenced. One of the most startling changes for me was the early start to the school day. In Ireland our classes started at 9.15 am. This was because many children walked long distances to school, winter mornings were dark and modes of transportation few. Here in Florida we teachers were in school at 7.00 am often patrolling the parking lot and ensuring preparations were in place for the first class of the day. I quickly adjusted to the new sunrise and sunset!
For the next eight years I soldiered with first grade classes of active, winsome little ones. While I had trouble with their accents, they had difficulty with my ‘brogue’. One of my students questioned her Mom about vocabulary I had assigned. Her Mom told her to ask Sister Laurentia. She retorted, “Sister doesn’t speak English, she only speaks Irish!” I was involved in preparing Public School Catholics for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. These classes took place on a Sunday morning. Religious instruction was also provided for non-Catholics who wished to join the Catholic Church. While teaching full time, I was also studying for my Florida Teachers’ Certification. My days were busy but fulfilling.
In one way, it is difficult to compare teaching in Ireland with teaching in the US. Unlike Ireland where all schools receive state support, our US Catholic schools are dependent on school tuition fees and parish support. There is very little monetary assistance from the Federal Government. Church and State are separate. Catholic schools have their own Education Boards and can legislate on issues without interference from the State. Students in the parochial school system had to pay tuition, but if struggling families couldn’t pay, the children were never refused admission to our schools. Children from other denominations who wished to attend Catholic school paid extra tuition. These monies along with proceeds from yearly fundraisers kept the school operating smoothly and helped defray parish and school expenses. Our schools in the US were Catholic schools and parents made a decision to send their children to them while accepting a profoundly Catholic ethos. On reflection, I prefer the American system, presenting as it does greater freedom of choice and perhaps greater commitment to Catholic values.
Children in Ireland start school aged 4 to 5. They spend two years in Junior and Senior Infants before moving on to First Class and they complete their Primary Education in Sixth Class. In Florida, I quickly learned of Kindergarten and Grade School, Middle School, Junior High and High School and the expectations and curricula associated with each.
Another significant difference between the two systems is that in Ireland great emphasis is placed on the teaching of Irish, our native language. This is compulsory for all students attending Primary Schools and a class is devoted to it each day with consequent time constraints on other subjects and the Arts. This may explain the greater emphasis on Science and Mathematics in US grade schools.
Academically our students have a high standard of education and are well prepared for High School. In the early years our schools were staffed by religious Sisters and Catholic lay teachers. The code of discipline, our work ethic and Christian value system were what made our Catholic schools centres of excellence, attractive and appreciated.
Saint Augustine was the first Catholic diocese in Florida, the first in the Continental United States, and the first diocese in which our Irish Sisters of Mercy set foot in 1954. Since the early 1900’s, Elizabeth Ann Seton with Sisters from American religious orders were responsible for founding and building the Catholic Education System in the US. The Irish Sisters of Mercy made an extraordinary contribution to Primary Education in Florida, and in Mississippi, New Jersey, California, Missouri and many other states. They are remembered with gratitude and love.
Jacksonville City Hall
My US journey began with an assignment for one year to Jacksonville Florida which lasted for eight happy and fruitful years. It was a life changing experience and while challenging at first, I am grateful and privileged to have had this opportunity. My journey continued for thirty-four more years teaching in Ballwin, Missouri. I am blessed to have served those wonderful people for all those years. I retired to my homeland in 2016 having come full circle.
Buíochas le Dia!
Laurentia Cusack rsm
Northern Province
