Pilgrim House
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Director Of Religious Education
Prepared August 22, 2003
Responsibilities
The Pilgrim House Director of Religious Education (DRE) is responsible for administrating the Pilgrim House Religious Education Program to guide the Religious Education of our children and youth.
Scope
The DRE chairs the PH Religious Education Committee, administers and guides the Religious Education of our school-age children and youth, and works with the PH Program Committee to provide intergenerational programs and coordinate youth and adult programs. The DRE is also responsible for Preschool children (aged two and above). The DRE is a standing member of the PH Board of Directors. The DRE is not responsible for nursery care (under age two).
Activities and Processes
- Attend church regularly when a program is scheduled
- Greet new families and register children
- Implement the PH RE Structure and Philosophy
- Currently the PH RE program is organized into three trimesters a year (Pilgrim House does not meet in June, July, and August)
- Three age-based classes (lower elementary, upper elementary, and youth) are offered, with age-appropriate materials.
- Each trimester has a different theme, selected by the RE committee under the direction of the DRE – the same theme is used for all age groups with different, age-appropriate materials (Adult programs supporting each theme may be provided once each trimester)
- Nine themes are offered on a three-year rotating schedule so that students have consistency and a change to experience the themes at three different developmental stages – themes reflect the beliefs and values of the seven UUA principals, while encouraging students to explore and develop their own beliefs and values
- Preschool classes are provided for younger children (aged two and above) – some RE content is included, but these classes are not coordinated with the trimester themes
- Develop the RE calendar for each year
- Set up the trimesters and themes for each trimester
- Recruit and train teachers for each trimester – conduct teacher training orientation as needed
- Manage those employed by PH to work with our children – currently PH hires one person to provide nursery care and another to teach our youngest post-nursery age group (The PH Board of Directors is responsible for hiring, firing, and salary negotiations)
- Provide support and backup-for (volunteer and paid) teachers, substitute as needed
- Assist in developing one intergenerational program each trimester
- Work with teachers and the Social Action chair to develop one social justice activity each trimester for each class
- Work with teachers and parents to develop social connectedness in each class and between all classes
- Develop and administrate the RE budget, maintain financial records
- Participate in board meetings and the annual meeting
- Provide material for the newsletter on a regular basis
- Recommend, review, and order curriculum materials – coordinate implementation of new curricula (e.g. Family Matter Book Project)
- Attend PSD conferences and Gemini Cluster meetings
- Coordinate OWL and the Coming of Age program
- Act as a resource person and chaperone to youth cons.
- Organize regular RE committee and parent meetings