By Justin McClain

Catholic school teachers have a special vocation to reach the hearts and minds of young people, even in the midst of never-ending lesson planning, grading papers, and trying to lead a balanced life. Called to Teach, a book of 366 short, thought-provoking reflections, can help teachers stay focused on their Christ-centered mission by providing a source of energy, renewal, and affirmation for their day.

This collection of one-minute daily reflections offers a prayerful opportunity to recapture the joyous expectation Christ has in mind for Catholic teachers. Each day begins with a scripture passage that sets a theme and provides much-needed encouragement as a reminder of the daily gifts present in a Catholic school. Justin McClain, a theology and Spanish teacher at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, will help teachers take a fresh look at everyday benchmarks of success in lesson planning, classroom prayer, and dealing with difficult theological questions. He also addresses needs outside the classroom—relaxation and a good night’s sleep, healthy eating habits, continuing education, and more time for prayer.

• Binding: Paperback
  Pages: 288

Justin McClain has taught theology and Spanish at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, since 2006. He also has served as an adjunct lecturer in Spanish for the pre-college programs at the University of Maryland, College Park, and taught English as a second language at Prince George’s Community College.

McClain earned bachelor’s degrees (2004) in Spanish language and literature and in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Maryland and master’s degrees in Spanish language and culture (2008) from the Universidad de Salamanca (Spain) and in international history (2011) from Staffordshire University (England). He has studied philosophy and theology at the Immaculate Conception Seminary/School of Theology at Seton Hall University and Church history through the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Church Life/STEP initiative. He is pursuing a master’s degree in theology and Christian ministry at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

McClain was a consultant to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, Subcommittee on African-American Affairs in 2015. He is a high school theology textbook consultant for Ave Maria Press, where he also provides content for the Engaging Faith blog and high school newsletter. McClain serves on the boards of directors for the Forestville Pregnancy Center and the Prince George’s County Historical Society. He is a member of the Maryland Historical Society. McClain is the author of Stepping into the Darkness and Mientras el sol pasaba and he has written for Catholic365, Church Life, and the National Black Catholic Congress. He and his wife, Bernadette, live in Bowie, Maryland, with their three children.