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PCRE and Lay Leader of PrayerabellyoungstowndioceseALVERA BELL, PCRE. Long a teacher in St. Nicholas School, Alvera became Director of Religious Education for Christ Our Savior Parish in September of 2011. She writes this about herself: I began my own education at St. Nicholas School, then went to Holy Famiy, Cardinal Mooney, and Nazareth College in Kalamazoo MI. I started teaching in 1974 and all my teaching years, I am proud to say, have been in Catholic schools -- St. Nicholas, St. Paul in Salem, Blessed Sacrament in Warren, St. John Eudes in Chatsworth CA. Between CCD and full-time teaching, I have taught every grade from K-9. My spirit is in Catholic education. One of my greatest thrills as a teacher is that of touching the lives of students and families. Wherever I go I run into former students. I am especially blessed to be involved in more than the academics. I can share Jesus and His love with my students. I can permeate all subjects with Gospel values so much needed in today's world. I can remind students that God loves them and always will, unconditionally. With my husband, who is a teacher at Cardinal Mooney, I believe that our true value lies in being able to share Jesus with those we teach. Fifth grade has been my class for many years, a time when students are begining to find out who they really are. They are full of questions and wonderings. I seek to guide them to see the ability they have in themselves to learn. I challenge thm to try to be their best and do their best. I help each student discover how they learn through projects, research, study groups, peer tutoring, one-on-one help, creative activites, song, mnemonics, posters, art and many other types of learning. I have received recognition as an Ohio nominee for the Disney Teacher of the Year, a Class Act Teacher. I have received the Making the Grade Award, Teacher of the Week, the Environment Award from the Mayor of Struthers and commendations from Governor Voinovich and Vice President Al Gore for environmental studies. Teaching at St. Nicholas has been an important part of my career and life. I have also been a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher, Folk Group member, Altar Server chairperson, and Bingo caller here. I have organized the Pet Fair, Camp field trips, Career Fair, Retreat Days, service projects and Christmas caroling among other things. The St. Nicholas School community has become my family. The families of this school and parish make me want to be involved. Teaching here is a ministry of which I am both proud and humbled to have lived. Mrs Bell can be reached by phone at 330-755-6245or by email at abell@youngstowndiocese