In "A Saint Squad for Teachers," A.J. Cattapan delivers a delightful blend of spiritual inspiration and practical advice tailored for educators. This compact yet enriching read serves as a beacon of encouragement for teachers seeking both professional growth and personal fulfillment in their noble vocation.

One of the book's standout features is its introduction to a diverse array of saints, some well-known and others less familiar, each accompanied by a concise yet compelling biography. Through meticulous selection, the author elucidates why these particular saints were chosen, weaving together their virtues and experiences with the challenges and triumphs of teaching. From stalwarts like St. Augustine, patron saint of educators, to lesser-known figures whose lives exemplify dedication and compassion, the saints presented in this volume offer invaluable role models for educators striving to infuse their practice with faith and purpose.

Moreover, "A Saint Squad for Teachers" goes beyond mere inspiration, providing actionable items that educators can readily incorporate into their teaching repertoire. Whether it's fostering empathy in the classroom, cultivating resilience amidst adversity, or nurturing a spirit of collaboration, each chapter offers practical strategies grounded in the timeless wisdom of the saints. These actionable insights serve as potent catalysts for growth, empowering teachers to enhance their pedagogy while fostering holistic development in their students.

Despite its profound insights, "A Saint Squad for Teachers" maintains a light and accessible tone, making it the perfect companion for busy educators. Designed to be read in short bursts between class periods or during moments of reflection, the book's brevity belies its depth, ensuring that even the most time-strapped teachers can derive sustenance from its pages.

Above all, the author's voice resonates with a palpable love for the teaching profession and a deep reverence for the individuals who dedicate their lives to it. Drawing from her own experiences and insights, A.J. Cattapan infuses the narrative with warmth and authenticity, forging a heartfelt connection with her readers. References to her previous works, such as "Is it June Yet," serve as invitations for further exploration, inviting educators into a larger conversation about the joys and challenges of teaching.

In conclusion, "A Saint Squad for Teachers" is a gem of a book that marries spiritual wisdom with practical guidance, offering a luminous path for educators seeking to elevate their practice. With its blend of inspiration, actionable advice, and heartfelt storytelling, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of teaching and the enduring legacy of the saints.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ave Maria Press for an ARC of this book.

Amy J. Cattapan combines her gift for encouraging teachers with the Church’s gift of the Communion of Saints in A Saint Squad for Teachers:45 Heavenly Friends to Carry You Through the School Year, a powerful book that will help teachers do more than just get through the rest of the year. Amy has assembled a saint squad with the usual suspects: Thomas Aquinas, Don Bosco, Jean-Baptiste de la Salle, and Elizabeth Ann Seton as well as some saints whose connection to teaching is surprisingly strong: Charles Lwanga, Bernadette, Servant of God Thea Bowman, and Blessed Solanus Casey are among the 45 “heavenly friends” teachers can call upon for encouragement, strength, and inspiration. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter invite teachers, homeschoolers, and catechists to consider what they can learn from the example of each of these exemplars. Whether you’re looking for help getting creative, building relationships, dealing with challenging students, advocating for change and justice, going above and beyond, teaching in tough times and times of crisis, embracing lifelong learning, persevering in prayer, or following your vocation, Amy can introduce you to saints who will help you along the way. (Netgalley review)

I loved how this book was divided into sections that teachers can relate to as they go through the emotions and struggles of a school year. I would use this book as inspiration to help lift me up and pray to the appropriate Saint in my time of need.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

Catholic educators, whether they're teachers, catechists, or homeschoolers (like me!) often need some supernatural help to get them through their days. In her new book, Amy J. Cattapan introduces us to 45 saints whose intercession and example are a true gift to those who teach.

The book is divided into sections according to different aspects of teaching: creative teaching techniques, building strong relationships, dealing with challenging students, advocating for change, seeking justice for students, surpassing expectations, teaching in times of crisis, continuing on when the going gets tough, and maintaining strong prayer lives. Saints both popular and lesser-known are upheld as models for these various important skills, giving us both a little history lesson on their biographies and some present-day inspiration to bring into our classrooms, wherever they may be. Reflection questions provide great opportunities for journaling or prayer, making this book something teachers can use privately or in groups for professional development from a spiritual perspective.

A Saint Squad for Teachers would be a wonderful gift for a seasoned or brand-new teacher (or even someone embarking upon student teaching!) It's also a great crash-course in the saints of the church that could also be appealing to almost any Catholic who wants to develop his or her own saint squad.

This book is a great guidebook for our modern day teachers! A.J. Cattapan who is usually writing about fictional characters, has blazed a new path in writing from the perspective of her real life experience as a teacher in Chicago.

Each chapter introduces you to how our holy saints can help with the contemporary challenges of being an educator affects the teachers of today. My favorite chapter was about how saints like St. Peter Claver, St. Philip Neri and saints in the making like St. Thea Bowman can help teachers be creative in their teaching style.

“St. Neri reminds us that not all learning happens in the classroom-and that our own disposition as teachers can enhance our students’ ability to learn.”

Another chapter that really resonated was how to deal with challenging students and how St. John Bosco patron of school children was quoted as saying to teachers “Never dole out punishment in a moment of anger, but to take time to pray and calm down first.”

The chapter “The Saints Who Kept Going When the Going Got Tough” really speaks to so many teachers who are struggling in the midst of this changing landscape for teachers. In this chapter she reminds us how St. Gertrude the Great said “When circumstances beyond our control put our students behind academically, we can lift them up by meeting them where they are. We can’t expect them to jump up to the level we think is appropriate, sometimes we have to simplify our lessons before we can bridge the gap.” The last chapter shares food for thought on retirement that helps you to discern if God is calling you to move on and how to be open to using your gifts in new ways. “The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are.” - St. Benedicta of the Cross

Great gift for your teacher friends who may need inspiration and intercession.

A Saint Squad for Teachers, is a heavenly professional development for educators. Author Amy Cattapan provides an inspirational collection of teacher-themed Saints stories, reflections, and thought-provoking discussion, for teachers no matter what subject or level of instruction. From stories of Saints with creative teaching techniques to those who taught in times of crisis Cattapan’s book is a consolation for teachers in any stage of their profession and deserves an A+

I loved this book. Each chapter is divided into 2-3 page passages about a Saint. Amy introduced me to saints I knew nothing about and saints that are old friends . The chapters are short enough that this book would be a great pd read, especially for catechesis training. It releases later this month and I'll be picking up extra copies to gift other teachers in my life.

If you are an educator, you positively need the newest book by Amy J. Cattapan, Saint Squad for Teachers: 45 Heavenly Friends to Carry You Through the School Year.

This spiritual treasure offers sage advice from the saints on everything from finding joy in teaching to loving the unruly child. With such saint power behind you, chances are you will fall in love with teaching all over again.

Cattapan does not shy away from difficult topics--everything from school shootings to teacher burnout is addressed in a wise, well-informed way. But she also incorporates an element of whimsy in this book, drawing upon her own experiences in the classroom.

Saint Squad for Teachers should be required reading for all Catholic educators. This seminal work shows the importance of relying on prayer to power through the challenges of teaching the next generation.

I could tell this book was written by an educator. I enjoyed the way the book was structured - the subtitle tells you the aspiration, there is a brief biography of the saint that encompases it, and direct links, utilizing current pedagogical language to strategies that could be directly incorporated into the classroom.


Although I have almost 2 decades of experience in the field and have left the Church decades ago, the lessons in the book are great reminders of the skill and patience that educators must have day to day not just with the children, but with adutls and even themselves a well.

When I was a young child, I remember being fascinated by the live of the saints. Why would God call on these people to do all of these good deeds only to have them die in such gruesome ways? Their stories are memorable and their deeds taught those around them that they did not have to give in to the mischief around them. They could strive to do good things. This book reminded me of that time. Although I no longer consider myself religious, I still found inspiration in the attributes the Saint Squad exhibited and in Ms. Cattapan's suggestions to take things in the classroom with a modicum of faith and grace as we work toward educating our future generations.

I would recommend this book to any teacher looking for inspiration to keep going in the field, parochial teachers and school administrators.