IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS established by Mary Baker Eddy in the Church Manual (Article XXX, Section 6), since 1907 a Normal class has been taught every three years, in order to provide a continuing supply of authorized teachers of Christian Science to the world. The students who have comprised these classes have successfully demonstrated their ability to heal for at least three years prior to taking the class, and have dedicated their lives to the service of their Church and humanity through the sacred work of healing and teaching Christian Science.
The most recent Normal class was held in December 2009, and was taught by Christiane West Little, C.S.B., of Alexandria, Virginia. Prior to entering the public practice of Christian Science, Christiane served as a translator with the United States Department of State. She was listed as a practitioner in The Christian Science Journal in 1974, and became a teacher of Christian Science in 1979. Christiane has served The Mother Church as a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship for over 20 years, and has co-hosted the Spanish Herald of Christian Science broadcasts since 1990. She served as President of The Mother Church in 2001, and has served recently as Second Reader of The Mother Church, for both English and Spanish services.
The class of 2009 was comprised of students who will be new teachers to the following fields: Australia, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, and Uruguay; and the United States in Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington state, and Washington, DC.
