DSWA TTC Program

Objective

The primary objective of the Teachers Training and Certification Program (TTC) is to progress towards consistent, thorough, and an accurate understanding of the faith, mysteries, traditions, and practices of the Malankara Orthodox Church by all Sunday School Teachers across the Diocese of South-West America.  

Details

Christian education is the cornerstone of a vibrant congregation.  The role of the Sunday school teacher therefore is as important as pastoral teaching. Teachers are the candle bearers of Christian ministry among children. They need personalized training to succeed in this ministry. As a Sunday School teacher, he/she is entrusted with the task of responding to the areas of concern in a child’s growth as a Christian, namely, self, God, Jesus, the Church, the Bible, and the World around that child.   A good teacher teaches not only in the traditional way, but also talks about the circumstances of everyday life that shows a child the best way to live. Teachers should be equipped with different ideas for staffing, equipping, programming, evaluating, motivating, managing, and improving the Sunday School in quality and in spirit.   The Diocese of South-West America continues the Teachers Training Certification Program established by the American Diocese in 2003. The TTC Program is only an assessment of the Teacher’s knowledge and understanding of the Orthodox Faith, and ability to apply that knowledge and understanding with respect to teaching the Faith to the children, and therefore the emphasis is not on memorization but understanding the basic faith and life of the Orthodox Church.  

The teacher certification committee under the direction of the Sunday School Director takes the necessary steps to set the detailed guidelines, prepare the notes and materials per syllabus, work, and coordinate in setting the question papers and arranging an evaluation process and generally be responsible for the conduct of this course and the examination. 

TTC Exam 2023

• Resources:
  • Lessons by Grade and Lessons by Topic on Talmido (We suggest to concentrate on the topics from Grades 9 through 12)
  • Dropbox folder (containing TTC Oct 2020 Notes and Recordings, Teachers Notes, and additional notes)
  • The Orthodox Study Bible 
  • LRD (Liturgical Resource Development) App (this can be downloaded from LRD on App Store or LRD on Google Play)
  • Holy Qurbana (2017) and other Liturgical books (The 2017 version of the Holy Qurbana book is available on the LRD App)

==Additional Resources== 

• • http://mosc.in/, 
  • http://www.ds-wa.org/
  • http://www.neamericandiocese.org/orthodoxy/index.aspx 

We encourage all teachers and parents who are not TTC certified to participate in the certification program. Further, please note that we will conduct two orientation sessions to familiarize the teachers with the process. The first session will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 8:00 pm CT, and the second session will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 3:00 pm CT. The classes are for the teachers and parents who register for the exams by August 15. The sessions will outline the exam expectations, the preparation mode, and the response style needed. Teachers who cannot attend even one of the sessions will need to attend a make-up session which will be arranged. We will also try to answer your questions on the exam style and question paper mode.

The QP will be emailed on September 01, 2023, and due by September 30, 2023, at 11.59 PM PST. It will be an open-book, open-ended exam.   Please note that we continue to have an online electronic exam to maintain consistency in our approach and standards while making it more easily accessible. We are using google forms for enrollment.  The Google form link to register the Teachers/ Parents --> 2023 TTC Registration Form.

Important Dates:

1. August 15 - Deadline to Register for Exam
2. August 23 ; 8:00 pm CT, (Wednesday) - First Orientation Session 
3. August 26 ; 3:00 PM CT, (Saturday) - Second Orientation Session (repeat)  (Registered Teachers/ Parents must attend one orientation session)
4. September 1 - Question Paper will be emailed out
5. September 30 - Question Paper Due - to be submitted back 

Frequently asked questions about the Teachers Training and Certification Program

• Why do we need an exam or certification?
  • Is just a workshop or training not enough? An exam or certification process challenges us to review and refresh our understanding. Studying enables us to learn more about our faith, enhancing our ability to teach. Workshops or training sessions are more difficult to organize due to limited resources, time constraints and geographic barriers. Workshops or training sessions are less involved in nature. Certifications or exams are more personal and the entire process is more dependent on the teacher. The learning and understanding is directly related to the effort and time invested by the teacher. The ultimate goal of the Sunday School ministry is to eventually progress towards the model of a continuing education program for all teachers that will be accessible through the internet.

• Are textbooks not enough to teach?
  • The revised and updated curriculum approach by the American Dioceses of MOSC quotes as follows “We are advancing from a "textbook-centric" educational approach to a "context-driven" Sunday School education where application of learned material will help reach the mastery of each topic via explicit learning outcomes.” With the level of technology that exists today, children in junior classes are asking questions of the teachers which require more research and a deeper understanding. Teachers are expected to bring additional and supplementary material to the class by way of scriptural references, writings of the Church fathers, and other Orthodox resources thus enhancing the learning experience for the students.

• How is this a training program?*
  • This program challenges the teachers to review the teachings and doctrines of the Orthodox Church in an overall manner. We guide the teachers through a review program exposing the teachers to the material covered at the mastery level answering the question why (Grades 9 through 12). Besides the basic topics covered in the senior classes, we have additional notes on specific topics like Sacraments, Councils, Church Fathers, the Holy Bible, etc. If help is sought or if necessary, by God’s grace, we are willing to work on a one-on-one basis with each teacher who commits to taking the TTC exam.

• Can I only teach Sunday School if I pass the certification exam?*
  • The ministry of being a teacher in our diocese is currently on a voluntary basis. The TTC program is intended to challenge teachers to grow in their Faith and understanding of it in order to be equipped at a very basic level to teach and inspire the children. While a teacher may pass the certification exam with a satisfactory score, the appointment of a teacher is at the final discretion of each parish Vicar as there are numerous factors including character, commitment, maturity, etc that are equally important in a teacher.

Comments from teachers who have written the exam in the past

A teacher well versed in the faith and teachings of the Church and who was involved in the preparation of the textbooks remarked, “As I studied for the TTC, I realized my understanding is so limited.” Another teacher stated, “My writing of the TTC exam widened my horizon and enabled me to bring more resources and supplementary material to the class and thus teach the class in a more comprehensive manner.”

What do I need to pass the certification exam? Since the formation of our diocese, 459 teachers have passed the certification exam with a 70% score or higher. For those who do not initially meet the passing score requirement, the TTC team works closely with each respective teacher. Direct follow up is made with each teacher to ensure they are given the opportunity to further learn and develop their understanding and work towards a satisfactory passing score.

How do I register to take the TTC exam? Please reach out to your Achen, Principal or the Regional Coordinator. The exam is currently offered once a year towards the end of summer. Registration forms with detailed information are sent to parish principals at least two months prior to the exam date. Simply sign up for the exam and begin to prepare for the exam with the syllabus and resources provided by the TTC team. Remember, do not be discouraged, but be encouraged as there is never an end to learning and growing in one’s faith. For more information, please email: ttcpswdsundayschool@gmail.com