By Katie Vasquez
Sister Gladys Anyanwu gets a warm welcome from her students at St Francis of Assisi Catholic academy.
They say the nun brings a different atmosphere to the Prospect Lefferts Gardens classroom.
“It’s different because. because all the others don’t talk about Jesus, but she does,” said 2nd grader, Yahni Mathieu.
“I like my religion teacher because she teaches me everything about Jesus,” said 1st grader, Tailita Glean.
In 1920, this would have been a common sight when 92 percent of Catholic school teachers were clergy or members of a religious order.
Now nuns like Sister Anyanwu only make up 1.5 percent of Catholic school faculty.
As she walks the halls in her traditional habit, she feels that she’s making a lasting impression on these young minds.
“They come to me and say, sister. I like your dress. you look beautiful,” said Sister Anyanwu.
The religious sister spent a lot of time working with children in her native Nigeria and picked it back up when she arrived in the US.
“When your superior asks you to walk in a certain place, you have to obey because that is the voice of God speaking,” said Sister Anyanwu.
The principal of the Brooklyn school, Lorraine Pierre, believes the nun’s experience in formation offers a lesson that lay teachers can’t offer.
“If we had more sisters, it would probably go a long way,” said Sister Anyanwu, “I think it brings an element of, because we want to build a Catholic identity.”
Whether she’s offering positive reinforcement in the classroom or teaching these students about the bible. Sister Anyanwu feels this is right where she belongs.
“It’s something I love doing. I love to teach,” said Sister Anyanwu.
“It’s not just teaching, but ministering God’s presence, you know, in the people we see here.”
Ultimately, she hopes her presence will serve as an inspiration, so more young girls will follow their vocation like she did.