Center for Catholic Education at UD

“New times call for new methods” - Father Chaminade

On June 21st, Catholic educators and administrators gathered together at the University of Dayton to discuss how to adapt and innovate in order to better the future of Catholic education. Below are excerpts from four of these educators who have written about their experience at the 2019 Catholic Education Summit.

God-centered, Heaven-centered, Student-centered Learning

“I attended Dr. Mick Mominee’s presentation covering the topic of bias … I respected that his teachings were God centered. He encouraged us all to embrace and recognize ourselves and others [as] the image of God. We are all equal in the sight of God and we should respect and treat each other as Christ would respect and treat each of us.” - Cynthia Ann Rogers, St. Charles

“The challenges our students face in modern society with the presence of social media and technologies, struggles with home life, and pressures to achieve in academics and athletics, calls for new approaches from educators … I will put priority on having my students feel valued, safe, and included. This will take intentional connections with my students. In order for our students to be in an “I’m safe here” school, implementation will take collaboration with teachers, administrators, students, and parents. If we put Christ in the center of our dialogue and decision-making, we can achieve an environment that meets the needs of our students.” - Joan Hecht, St. Susanna

“... I will be taking some of Peg Dubrowski’s energy and ideas back with me in the fall. The energy and enthusiasm she had while presenting kept me engaged her entire presentation … That is how I want my students to feel! In addition to having more enthusiasm, I want my students to know that it is part of my job to get them to Heaven … and work to have the mindset that we are there to help others succeed. These all require me to be engaged to make it happen and make my classroom community stronger” - Mary Rood, St. Michael

“I absolutely hope to start achieving my [goals] but recognize it is not something I can accomplish in one day. I would like … to pull from [Peg] Dubrowski and emphasize with my students their “job” is to get to heaven. This retreat [that I would like to implement] is a stepping stone to thinking about how to better oneself. I’d like to take next steps both in my classroom and as a grade to work on that self-improvement.” Emily Rottinghaus, St. Susanna

Fostering Growth Mindset

“I had so many take-aways from Dominic Masotti and Kyle Nobbe … They challenged me to understand my mindset message to my students. They thoroughly gave examples of fixed mindset versus growth mindset and how fixed mindset is a part of the problem of math anxiety. I am inspired to look more at how I praise students in the learning process … Am I requiring my students to learn something they need to internalize or something that can be ‘googlized?’ All presenters gave positive ideas on how to get students to internalize and own their knowledge.” - Joan Hecht, St. Susanna

“Being a math teacher myself, I was inspired by Dominic Masotti & Kyle Nobbe. I have always been aware that math doesn’t come naturally to all students in my classes.  To understand fully the type of anxiety it causes some children inspires me to work harder to ease this stress. After hearing these two gentlemen speak, I feel the pull to incorporate both math visuals and Growth Mindset in my own classroom.” - Mary Rood, St. Michael

Inspiration and Drive from the Summit

“[From Dr. Mominee’s presentation on bias,] a conversation regarding how [our staff interacts] with each other, our students, and parents can then ensue. As we will have three new staff members this year, I think it will set the tone on how we can strive to be the best teachers we can be. It can also remind us on how to bring out the best in our students. Keeping in mind that we are all created by God to love and serve Him and to love others, we can recognize the dignity of every person and the sanctity of all human life.” - Cynthia Rogers, St. Charles

“I plan to greet [my students at the door] every morning while saying their name and asking how they are. Some days I will have a silly or serious question for them to answer, other days I will offer a high five or fist bump. My classroom rules currently are ‘Work Hard, Play Nice, Be Kind’. I will be adding to these rules ‘Help Others Succeed’. I believe that this new rule will be able to be worked on with our Growth Mindset lessons. I hope to take my enthusiasm from the Summit back to my school with me in the fall. I would like to share some of these key points with my colleagues. I do feel it could help their classroom and our school community as well.” - Mary Rood, St. Michael

 “I am currently a Mentor Teacher to a Resident Educator.  I believe that sharing many parts of the presentations from this summit will help this new Catholic educator.  I would like to dialogue with her about some strategies to maintain a growth mindset and to have a classroom environment where students feel valued, safe, and included.  Understanding the Pro-Brain strategies, methods of motion in the classroom, and building virtues, can be shared and implemented throughout this next school year. Working together will enhance both of our classrooms.” - Joan Hecht, St. Susanna

 

Blog compiled and edited by Emma Grace Geckle