Visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

ELA educator and school administrator Naomi Tetherly taught second and third grade at Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter Public School before taking on the position of Special Education Director. Outside of her classroom experience, Naomi Tetherly enjoys exploring new destinations. In early 2018, Ms. Tetherly set out on a 12-day tour of Israel’s Holy Land, making stops at the Dead Sea, the Mount of Olives, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the holy city of Jerusalem, is sacred to Christians. The church is known worldwide as the site of Jesus’s last days and his miraculous resurrection. 

The hill where the Church stands has held religious significance since the 2nd century. The Church as it appears today was built in 1048 and is currently shared by 5 different Christian denominations. The tomb believed to belong to Jesus is housed inside the ancient structure. 

Visitors to Jerusalem’s Old City can explore the Holy Sepulchre year-round between the hours of 5 AM and 8 PM from April to September. During the fall and winter months, the Church closes an hour earlier.

Tips for First-Time Authors of Children’s Books

Primary education professional Naomi Tetherly holds a Massachusetts Initial license for Elementary Vice-Principal/Principal and a master's degree in school administration from American International College. Formerly an English and Social Studies teacher, Naomi Tetherly is currently in the process of writing a children’s book.

The best children’s books engage their audience with relatable characters, interesting scenarios, and rhythmical language. There are a few areas that authors must consider when writing a children’s book for the first time.

Connecting to a young audience requires an understanding of their natural interests. There are significant psychosocial changes that occur as children develop, so authors must identify the specific age group that will be their target audience. Once this has been determined, writers can draw ideas from their own childhood or other children in their lives. 

Though most children’s books have themes centered around typical childhood scenarios, there are infinite unique ways to present the storyline. Authors can keep children and older readers interested by writing in a way that stimulates the imagination. They should also consider how their book’s images will bring the characters and their fictional world to life.