Our Woman of the Week is Maria Koulianos, nominated for her work as head of the online elementary school St. Raphael School; she also serves as a clergy wife in her parish. You see her here in church and as a first grader (right) with her sister Kathy (left) and cousin Kyriaki (center) of blessed memory. We asked her to tell you why she became a teacher, and how that has taken her on an unexpected journey:
“1 Corinthians 12:12-31 states that the Body of Christ has many members, and all these members are an indispensable part of the whole. Serving the Lord and His people comes in many various vocations. And as it states, each one of us, with our contrasting gifts from God offer importance to its totality. An Educator is one of the many charismas that has been given to be used to build up the Body of Christ.
“As a child, I used to ‘play school’ with all the neighborhood kids, assigning them homework, doing lesson plans, and teaching the basics, all the while still being in elementary school myself. It was in fourth grade when I realized that the way I was being taught–the how–wasn’t conducive for me or my learning style. It was then that I told my fourth-grade self, ‘I will grow up and become a teacher doing this better.’
“I fulfilled the promise to that young girl and attended Indiana University, becoming an educator. I served a public urban school district as a classroom teacher and later became an area administrator responsible for over 32 elementary schools at the age of 29. I clearly remember the day that I was asked to leave the classroom by my superior and thought I must have done something wrong. He said,, on the contrary, he wanted me to replicate what I was doing in my classroom throughout the district. I was in shock, and I responded, ‘I love the teaching.’ He retorted, That is why I was the right person.
“This gift for teaching, this charisma, that God bestowed upon me later became a deeper vocational calling, a leitourgema. As I taught in traditional school settings, I realized that I wanted to do more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. That is the day I was beckoned to grow deeper in the faith by attending my beloved alma mater, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA.
“Afterwards, I wanted to teach the Word of God to young and old. I wanted to sow and water the seeds of God’s love so that He may harvest them in His time! Once my beloved husband, Father Dionysios Koulianos (a Hellenic College Holy Cross seminary alumnus), was ordained, I prayed to God on how I could devote my life to one school when being in ministry means that you are ready to serve anywhere you are called. That is when I became a part of St. Raphael School, an online classical school which offers courses in the Orthodox tradition.
The depth and breadth of the connections worldwide with students and families has been something that I thank God for every day! After five years as an instructor, I was appointed Principal in July of 2021. As a servant-leader I am charged with building a community that supports students and parents striving for Orthodox restful classical education.”
Axia!
Maria Koulianos, our Woman of the Week, nominated for her work in elementary education. You see her volunteering at an event of St. Catherine's Vision (an organization devoted to women theologians), and in the process of making a donation from Daria Books (an organization she developed) to a local women and children's shelter. We asked her to tell you her philosophy of education, and why her superiors wanted her to help other teachers replicate her techniques:
“What was I doing? All I knew is I taught the way I learned best: I taught the way I was not taught. I looked at the wonderous world God created and I focused on what is true, what is good, and what is beautiful through contemplation with awe! I want students to discover, to synthesize, to grapple, to experience the world with curiosity, so that they themselves can become lifelong learners. And alongside them, I too have my understanding made anew. We are all children called to come closer to the Lord! The recipe is simple: love, laugh, and learn.”
As always, we asked Maria Koulianos, our Woman of the Week, about her morning routine:
“All thanksgiving and glory go to God! Every morning, I get up, thank the Lord, offer my prayers to start my day. With God’s grace, may His will always be done!
Peace-Love-God Bless!”
Thank you, Maria!