Hi,
I will try to assist you. Open up your template and do a <Save As> so that you always keep the original as-is.
On your newly saved template, create a new layer for your text. Choose the text tool and draw a box on the new layer in a box sized for the text you want to include. You can always just click and start typing (no box drawn) and hit <return> to go to go to the next line.
I don't know if this is helpful to you but you can always email me if this does not make sense. Good luck with your class!!
--AKrubygal