Last year, public officials named an elementary school teacher from Rogersville, Tennessee, as the 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Missy Testerman teaches in a rural Appalachian school. The families of the students include those who have lived in the area for generations, as well as immigrants from cultures around the world. Missy sometimes saw conflict arise. She created a curriculum to help students “internalize that humans are more alike than different … to build a bridge between the cultures.”

As a Vincentian priest, I admire Missy’s attention to bringing diverse peoples together. Growing up, I did not attend Catholic schools. In fact, I was usually the only Catholic in my classes.

Being an outsider helped me grow in the virtue of respecting people from many religious traditions. That has served me well, especially in ministering to the Hopi Native people, who have held a deep resentment against Catholics that dates back for centuries. I became friends with many of these Native Americans.

If we use it well, everything that happens to us can be a valuable learning experience.

Another back to school season is approaching, and I invite you to remember all students and teachers in prayer, that all may grow in knowledge, wisdom, and respect for those different from themselves.

Please send me the names of those you would like remembered in the daily Mass and prayers offered here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal from September through May. Order your Back-to-School Votive Light cards to send to a particular student, educator, or family, letting them know you are thinking of them. 

You may also order a variety of spiritual back to school gifts to remind your recipients of Mary’s loving care. One of our most popular items is a pewter Miraculous Medal with bright cuts and a lobster claw clasp that   attaches easily and securely to a backpack, purse, keychain, or zipper.

For a suggested offering of $10 each, you may request one or more of these “Backpack Miraculous Medals”. Or, browse and order from AMM’s selection of religious items at our online gift shop: amm.org/store.aspx.

You give a gift of priceless value by asking Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, to watch over those you love this school year.

Thank you for your devotion to Mary’s mission carried out here at the Association of the Miraculous Medal. May God continue to bless your efforts to serve him, and may he draw you ever closer to himself.

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,

P.S. You may request free, blessed Miraculous Medals on a story card to share with school children, educators, and family members. Order using the enclosed reply slip. Or, call us at 1-800-264-MARY (6279), Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT. Any offering you add will be gratefully appreciated and used to continue Our Lady’s mission.

What difference can your offering make for students and educators? Recently, an AMM member from Texas wrote …

Dear Father,
I volunteer as a second grade Continuing Christian Education teacher. At the end of each school year, I like to give each student something that will remind them of our class. This year, I decided to give each of them the Miraculous Medal. I told them the story of Saint Catherine Labouré and taught them to pray, “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee,” to receive great graces from the Queen of Heaven for their lifetime journey of faith.