SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio school once on the verge of closing is now capturing international attention with a first-of-its-kind program.
The Mother Cabrini Center at Mount Sacred Heart Catholic School trains nuns from other countries how to be a teacher in America.
The goal is to get more sisters to teach within our local archdiocese.
"I was a teacher in my country, but to become an American teacher I have to go through this training," said Sister Josna Kujur, who moved to San Antonio from India in 2022. "It's quite different than our country in India."
Sister Kujur was chosen by her superior to venture to the Mother Cabrini Center. After much thought and prayer, Sister Kujur decided she would answer the call.
"It's helpful because we don't know the culture of America," she explained.
At the Mother Cabrini Center, a three-phase pioneer program is taught to international religious sisters, serving as a pathway toward teaching in the U.S.
In the first phase, each sister will interact and practice teaching with small groups of students.
"In the second phase, we are mostly in the classroom like a co-teacher," Kujur explained.
Following about two years of training and the completion of the first two phases of the program, phase three is where each trainee can begin to teach independently and confidently.
The subject and grade they teach will be based on qualifications and preference.
Felicia Villarreal, who leads Communication & Development at Mount Sacred Heart, says each nun who completes the program will teach within the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
"Right now we have three sisters. They are from India and Africa [Zimbabwe]. We're excited to have more sisters," said Villarreal.
The Mother Cabrini Center is the only training facility of its kind in the United States.
In the program, Kujur explained how she also has the opportunity to teach students about her home country. Her hope is that students will share with others what they learn about Indian culture.
"We bring India to Mount Sacred Heart," she said.
Recently, many sisters have retired -- creating a great need in Catholic schools.
Sister Kujur has seven months left before she can teach on her own.
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