Carina Veríssimo: “Education is a relationship of mutual learning.”

You hold a degree in Religious Sciences from the Faculty of Theology of Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Why did you choose this degree?

One day, I was reading a newspaper and came across the degree in Religious Sciences. At the time, I was already involved in my parish and community, so I decided to apply to Universidade Católica Portuguesa and started the degree in 1997. Looking back today, I realise that it was a choice that opened up a path that ultimately brought together my academic path, my faith, education and service to others.

What memories do you have of your time at the University?

I have many memories, especially of a period of great effort, learning and personal growth. Classes were very important throughout that journey. They were not simply moments of learning and acquiring knowledge; they were spaces for reflection, dialogue, sharing and mutual support. The conversations, the different perspectives and the opportunity to relate what we were learning to our own experiences helped me grow and look at many aspects of life differently. I feel that those classes contributed greatly to my personal, spiritual and professional growth. Many of the questions raised there led me to reflect on who I am, what I believe in and how I relate to others. I also have very fond memories of the sense of closeness among my classmates. We shared doubts, experiences, difficulties and achievements. That mutual support was fundamental in making the journey easier and taught me the value of walking alongside others.

How did your education at Católica contribute to who you are today?

At Católica, I experienced a form of learning that went beyond the classroom and that is still present in the person and professional I am today. It was a period that taught me a great deal about responsibility, perseverance and the ability to overcome difficulties. Universidade Católica gave me knowledge and an education, but it also gave me the tools to explore questions related to faith, the human person and society in greater depth. Today, so many years later, I continue to recognise many of the lessons I learned during that period in my professional journey.

“Universidade Católica gave me the tools to explore questions related to faith, the human person and society in greater depth.”

You are a Catholic Moral and Religious Education (EMRC) teacher at Colégio de Gaia. What made you want to become a teacher?

I entered teaching after completing my degree in Religious Sciences. I started teaching and worked in several schools, experiences that were very important in shaping me as a teacher. What made me want to become a teacher was, above all, the opportunity to accompany people as they grow. Teaching is about much more than transmitting knowledge. It means listening, supporting, guiding, challenging, encouraging and helping each student discover their abilities and their own path.

“EMRC is a space for encounter and dialogue.”

What is the importance of EMRC?

I believe EMRC plays a very important role in the holistic development of the person. Schools should not only educate students academically. They should also help develop people who are able to think, make choices, relate to others, respect differences and take responsibility. EMRC provides a space to address fundamental aspects in each person's development and to seek answers to questions that, at some point in life, we all ask ourselves. EMRC is also a space for encounter and dialogue. It is not simply about providing answers, but about helping students ask questions, reflect and search for meaning.

What are the main challenges of teaching this subject?

One of the major challenges is helping students understand that EMRC is not just a subject about religion, but an opportunity to reflect on life, on themselves and on their relationship with others. We explore deeply human questions: the meaning of life, relationships, love, freedom, responsibility, human dignity, solidarity, hope and the choices we make along our journey. Another challenge is doing so in an increasingly plural society, while respecting different experiences, sensibilities and ways of thinking. It is important to create space for dialogue, questions and reflection. And, equally importantly, there is the challenge of speaking to young people in a language that resonates with them, without losing the depth of the questions we seek to explore.

What do you learn most from your students?

I learn that every person is unique. Students teach me to look at situations from different perspectives, to listen and, often, to question my own certainties. I also learn from their spontaneity, creativity and ability to surprise us. I believe that education is a relationship of mutual learning. While we seek to help students grow, we also grow alongside them.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Above all, I enjoy living and appreciating each moment. I value simple things: going for a walk, having a good conversation, spending time with my family, reading a book, listening to music or simply being with the people I love. I like to feel that each day is an opportunity to learn, to be with others, to give thanks and to make a difference, even through small gestures.