Jeff Hutchinson, 27, religion teacher at McNicholas High School, is examining lessons learned on a 16-day trip through India and how he can filter it into his classroom.

Hutchinson was one of six teachers around the country chosen to participate in Frontiers of Justice, a joint program of Catholic Relief Services and the National Catholic Education Association.

Frontiers of Justice is designed to give teachers the first-hand knowledge that will bring to life their classroom lessons on such subjects as justice and culture, said Michelle Gilfillan, CRS domestic programs manager and coordinator of the trip.

Traveling through Calcutta, and camps throughout India, Hutchinson said he saw some of the same problems schools have here, but also saw teachers and students doing a lot with less resources.

"I was particularly impressed at how older students teach younger students," Hutchinson said. "We saw fifth- and sixth-graders teach other young students as confident as a teacher here. This was amazing concept of sharing. It was almost like magic."

He talked of a school designed to help girls from the streets.

"Some of the girls who slept in the streets came to school without anything to eat. Half of them can afford to be there, but others cannot.

"But both groups learn from each other. This is an education concept that cuts across class and deals with diversity," Hutchinson said.

CRS provides assistance to people in more than 90 countries and territories, Gilfillan said.

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Allen Howard's "Some Good News" column runs each day. If you have suggestions, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.