Involving Women in Sunday School Leadership | An Interview with Garret Shields & Monica Fell

Garret Shields has a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s
degree in Religious Education, and is currently working on a Ph.D.
in History, researching issues and questions related to race and
the priesthood in Brazil. He works in the Church Educational System
as a Seminary teacher. Garret served in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro
Mission and has since served in many callings in the Church
including ward mission leader, high councilor, elders quorum
president, bishopric counselor, Sunday School president, and
nursery leader. He currently serves as a priest quorum advisor.
Garret lives in Spanish Fork, Utah, with his wife and four
energetic, adorable, and amazing children. Monica Fell has worked
as a registered nurse for almost 20 years, where she has had the
privilege of loving and serving in many capacities from hospital
settings to home health and hospice, and working with struggling
youth in group homes. At church, Monica has also served in many
callings, including nursery leader, librarian, Relief Society
counselor, girls camp director, Primary president, Young Women
president, and currently as a Young Women 1st counselor. She served
as a "teaching advisor" while Garret was Sunday School president in
their ward, working alongside the presidency to support teaching
both in the home and at church. Monica is a single empty nester who
calls Spanish Fork home. She had the privilege of raising two boys
and identical twin girls, is grateful for a son- and
daughter-in-law she loves like her own, and can't believe how much
fun it is to be a "Nana" of an adorable, spirited, 3-year-old
granddaughter. Links There is already a discussion started about
this podcast. Share your thoughts. Transcript coming soon Get
14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Recognizing
that most gospel teaching at home and even at church in their ward
was done by women, Garrett decided to include women in the Sunday
School presidency. Monica, one of the teaching advisors in the
presidency, highlights the success of their approach, especially in
addressing the challenges faced by women in implementing Come
Follow Me at home. The podcast delves into the structure of their
meetings, the proactive nature of their leadership, and the
emphasis on Teaching in the Savior's Way. The dynamic and
collaborative nature of their presidency meetings fostered a strong
bond among the members and led to better teaching in the ward as a
whole. 00:03:06 - Garret's Background and Role as Sunday School
President 00:07:40 - Monica's Perspective on Serving in the Sunday
School Presidency 00:10:19 - Structure and Dynamics of the Sunday
School Presidency 00:14:10 - Importance of Being a Difference Maker
in Leadership 00:19:22 - Implementation of Teacher Council Meetings
for Parents 00:25:13 - Emphasizing Christ-Centered Teaching
00:29:05 - Structure of Teacher Council Meetings for Parents and
Teachers 00:34:11 - Importance of Building Relationships and
Camaraderie in Leadership 00:36:38 - Proactive Approach to
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