About Sister Daniela: Sister grew up with an older sister, two younger brothers, and Mom and Dad in a Houston suburb. She remembers kick ball tournaments lasting all day with a dozen kids from the cul-de-sac. Playing outside until dark was the norm. “At night, Dad would read saint stories to me and my brothers. He didn’t read the sweet kid version but the gory martyrdom accounts,” Sister recalled. “I loved their courage, and wanted to be a martyr and die for Jesus. It seemed all the saints were sisters, so at 8 years old, I decided that I wanted to be a sister.”
Although a Catholic School education wasn’t possible for the family, Sister’s faith grew and thrived in her Life Teen experience at her parish. She took advantage of Steubenville Conferences in nearby Louisiana, several times as a youth leader, and felt a calling to become a Youth Minister.
“As an ‘Apostle’ at the conference, I was one of several teens teaching the theme song to the 3000 youth attending the conference. Our job was to run around the auditorium singing, dancing and doing the hand gestures so everyone could join in.” As preparation to be a Youth Minister, she studied Secondary Education at Benedictine College, a Catholic campus with half the enrollment of her high school. “It was an adjustment, culture shock,” Sister admits. “Freshman year I met a sister for the first time and I joined her on a “nun run”, a road trip visiting different religious communities. I loved my time with the Nashville Dominicans; it really felt like God was calling me.”
Her goal this year is that the 5th graders become saints, learn self-discipline and responsibility. She wants them to be ready for the academic rigors of Middle School and grow in maturity. “I want them to do their work well for the glory of God. I’ll tell a student, ‘that’s not your best work – give me your best.’” Sister wants to prepare them to be future leaders of the Church, and to inspire them to be saints. “I love teaching religion but it’s a challenge. Because the content is so precious, I want to teach it well so they will love their faith and grow in relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Fifth Grade Handbook This handbook has been prepared to assist you and your child in making the most of this fifth grade school year. I believe this resource will help strengthen the cooperative relationship between your home and our school and classroom with the ultimate aim of helping your student(s) reach their potential. Thank you in advance for your support and collaboration in the mission of educating your child this year. I pray for a fruitful year and every blessing on you and your family. ~Sister Daniela
