The thought above is by Elisangela Dias de Toledo (photo), who was born in the Brazilian city of Apucarana and moved to Londrina 21 years ago. She works as a school teacher, focusing on Special Needs. Elisangela is an active member of the local Spiritist Movement, working as a volunteer children’s teacher since 1992. She has been the Coordinator of Youth Groups of the Paraná State Spiritist Federation since 2013:

How did you begin to work as a Spiritist teacher?

I began teaching Spiritism to young people when I was 17, after receiving an invitation from the Spiritist Centre I used to attend in the city of Apucarana. They had a pro-youth policy and encouraged the involvement of young people in Spiritist Education courses. I studied for three years at the Spiritist Centre and had my aunt, Judite Dias de Toledo, as my instructor. When I was 14, I did a story telling course organised by the Paraná State Spiritist Federation. That’s when I decided that I would prepare to work as a Spiritist Teacher in the future. When I received the invitation, I was very happy. That’s how it all started for me.

What are the main challenges faced by those teaching Spiritism?

I believe that the first challenge faced by Spiritist Teachers these days is simply to accept the job, as it’s quite a demanding one. Getting into a classroom to teach the principles of Spiritism to children is something that goes much beyond the requirements people usually associate it with. It demands planning, preparation, research, dedication, discipline and a routine. The biggest challenge to become a good Spiritist teacher is getting to know yourself, to overcome your personal problems in order to be able to deliver a high level of education. You will need to measure your words, to be able to listen and to look around. You will need to find out how to give the pupils the best guidance. All that demands a great deal from us, teachers. You will also need to make changes at a personal level. Your paradigms will need to change and you will need to consider very carefully all your acts. In order to provide a good education, you will need to have a good knowledge of Spiritism so you are able to explain the core principles to children and young people.

We all face many challenges in classrooms these days, such as: how to grab the attention of children and young people in the technology era? I think we need to use the tools of our times: storytelling techniques, musical toys and other playful activities, anything that involves playing, to help us in that process, including different reading and reading comprehension techniques. What to do about the desperation that hit us during the courses when we feel that we are not achieving much? Wait, be patient! Each Spirit has their time, their pace. Team work gives us a spiritual perspective on that aspect. That’s why it’s important to persist in the job, not to give up. What material should I use in class? In Brazil we developed a proper curriculum 42 years ago and we have very good material for young people.

What are the main requirements to become a Spiritist teacher?

To like children or young people, that is the first step. The second is to understand clearly that your work will “play a key role in conveying the Spiritist message to the hearts, minds and hands of children and young people”. Those who behave according to the principles of fraternity, love and who follow the core values of Spiritism can become teachers of Spiritism. They must be able to put the Teachings into context for young people. Those who are sensitive, coherent, empathetic, friendly, reliable and knowledgeable about Spiritism and also attend a study group in a Spiritist centre are ready for the task. In the words of Sandra Borba and Cesar Braga Said, “those are the people who believe they’re not ready yet.”

Would you like to share with us any particular experience from all these years in the Spiritist Movement?

Taking part in youth Spiritist meetings and events has really been important to me. In those meetings, I have been able to put into practice the principles of the Gospel, to study and learn, to tighten friendship ties and to strengthen Spiritism as a whole. I took part in the 1994 CONMEL and EJEN Spiritist youth meetings and I was fascinated to discover that we were not alone. There were only five people in my youth group in Apucarana. I travelled with my younger sister and a friend, Alessandra Guizelini, to the meetings. We were amazed when we saw 78 young people gathered there at the Lar Anália Franco. They came from many neighbouring cities. Later in the year, during Easter, we went to another meeting gathering more than 300 young people from across the state of Paraná. We really realised then that we were many.

From then on, I have worked for many years in the organisation of similar events in the state of Paraná. There is genuine collaboration between the different generations and together we form a great team. Those who’ve been in the journey for longer are able to guide the others, while those who are giving their first steps contribute with new ideas and their energy and strength. We must always bear in mind that we are not alone. There is a team of Spiritual Benefactors by our side, helping and inspiring us all the time to put implement the projects and put across the message of Christ and the Spiritist Teachings.