Professional Development Convention for Catholic Elementary and Secondary Teachers
Chicago Heights, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The Office of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago coordinated Professional Development Conventions at two sites to accommodate thousands of Catholic school educators from throughout the Archdiocese. Hosted at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, and Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, attendees listened to keynote speakers, and participated in group discussions on a variety of subjects central to Catholic education in the 21st century.
Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P., Superintendent of the largest Catholic school system in the nation, says educators are challenged to do more and be more – together.
“The variety and depth of these educational topics reveal the complex needs of the adult learner: we are called to be those adult learners, to have the same ‘faith, focus, and achievement’ we demand of our students,” she said.
Marian Catholic faculty, in addition to checking in the nearly two thousand teachers registered, attended sessions and listened to keynote addresses.
Marian Theology teacher Linda Hansen particularly enjoyed a presentation called “A Springtime of Vocations,” offered by a team of Sisters representing CAVA (Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association), NCCV (National Coalition for Church Vocations), and NRVC (National Religious Vocation Conference).
“The handouts given in this presentation were some of the most comprehensive materials I’ve seen,” remarked Hansen, now in her 16th year at Marian Catholic.
“Teaching students about vocations is challenging, but the resources from this session included lesson plans, teacher guides, and a dvd, as well as online sites to gather more information to use in the classroom,” Hansen said.
Convention goers also perused exhibition halls to view the latest in educational technology, teaching aids and continuing education opportunities.
