CatholicEdChat is a twitter chat. Topics focus on discussions around educational issues for Catholic Educators and topics beneficial to Catholic Schools. We look forward to continuing to connect Catholic Educators online to discuss education and teaching with faith in our schools. The chat takes place on Saturday mornings. Time 9am EST.
Good morning #catholicedchat So grateful to have this time together. Jen from Indianapolis. Jesuit HS Asst. Principal enjoying coffee and conversation on this chilly morning. Hi @KristinBMelley!
Good morning #CatholicEdChat! Kurt from Marian University, Indianapolis - Director of Catholic School Programs and Director of the Academy for Teaching and Learning Leadership.
Good morning from Spokane, WA. Nick Senger, principal, St. John Vianney Catholic School. Happy to have just finished the first half of my principal cert program! #CatholicEdChat
We really ought to have coffee sometime, Kurt. Seeing as though we are neighbors and my husband? Were you at the party last night? Did we miss each other? #catholicedchat
Hi from Maryland. Have to get the fam moving so we can make it to Mass at 10. Teens have dirty hair so a race to the shower is up next at our house! #CatholicEdChat
Congrats! That is a testament to your dedication! I just finished coursework and take my Praxis test for certification next Saturday :-) #catholicedchat
Keep your ears/eyes open. I'm bringing Catholic Tech Summit back to the South Suburbs next fall. Just starting the planning process now. #CatholicEdChat
We really ought to have coffee sometime, Kurt. Seeing as though we are neighbors and my husband? Were you at the party last night? Did we miss each other? #catholicedchat
I was there. I saw you and George across the room once, but had to leave early for a sick child. I would love to come visit your school... and I will bring the coffee! #CatholicEdChat
(Time for me to verbally push the fam to be on time for Mass but) teaching at a Catholic school means the light of Christ shines through all your words and work in the classroom. It’s THAT simple! #CatholicEdChat
A1 #CatholicEdChat We just had our Circle of a Grace lesson and used this box - a present from God- when the opened it...they saw a mirror! They are the precious gift!
Cool! Will this be like the @C3ADLA Conference I’ve spoken at before? In other words, is it just for Catholic educators or is it for all who work and volunteer in Catholic schools and parishes?
#CatholicEdChat
A1 Lots of positive talk. “I believe in you” “I know you’re amazing”. Sometimes all it takes is a smile...because that student hasn’t had anyone smile at them all day. #CatholicEdChat
We'll focus on our surrounding K-8 Catholic schools but last year we had Ts from as far away as Waukegan and we're in Chicago Heights. Our Ts did all presenting last time, but this time we'll have proposals. I'll be working w/ the Archdiocese to spread the word. #CatholicEdChat
A1 Our mission to Ss is "discover & cultivate the fullness of their God-given talents" Means knowing each S context. & guiding curriculum/instruction to cultivate those talents - requires listening, experimenting, and getting grown-up egos out of way #catholicedchat
A1: I had a student with a very loud voice. He and I sat down & talked about his voice being a gift from God and the places/times that a loud voice is needed & when a quiet voice is needed. When he got too loud, I simply had to say "think about where you are." #CatholicEdChat
A1 Example: in my class Ss enter w/ hidden talents: writing,design & layout,photography,leadership,passionate causes - each term looks different curriculum wise b/c the gifts of Ss are different. Core learning outcomes same but experiences modify for Ss in room. #catholicedchat
A2: I always found a real world example for our theme. When we studied the parable of the lost sheep, I showed the video of the French firefighter who scaled a building to save a small boy who was going to fall. Inner city students do not know much about sheep. #CatholicEdChat
A1 Positive language, fist bumps when caught being good, candy bar incentives for accomplishing a goal, letting them know you are praying for them. #CatholicEdChat
A2. I share personally about experiences of God’s presence I have had in nature (including pics of hikes I have been on) as well as in people who I have encountered. I also directly teach the sacramental principle to my HS juniors and seniors #CatholicEdChat
A2 this Advent season, we are doing nice deeds for our classmates, writing them down on yellow strips of paper, then putting them in an empty manger for a nice bed for Baby Jesus. #catholicedchat
A2 Works for faculty too. Shifted our eval/growth program to focus on faculty discovering & cultivating their gifts. Example: supporting growth in skills based grading, interpersonal com, active learning techniques...finding God in all things :-) #catholicedchat
A1. Holding a student accountable to “the best version of himself” (I teach at an all boys school). Asking “How does this behavior help you achieve your goals as a student? “ #CatholicEdChat
I’m just brainstorming, but after reading current event articles, feel good stories and some tragedies. Challenge the Ss to find God and choose an image representing this and put it in a slideshow. #catholicedchat
A2 I tell my students that each of us carries God within us. So when we deal with others we should remember that they too carry God within. Would you treat God unkindly? #CatholicEdChat
One lesson I love is asking students to write down positive attributes of specific classmates. Sharing affirmations from classmates with each of the students really builds community. Student gifts are seen in the light of community #catholicedchat
A3 Here is our classroom theme. #catholicedchat with @BegleySpeaks visiting and talking about writing with my students. I love to bring in guests both virtual and live!
A3: My Ss all had disabilities. Some were visible: amputations, tics, surgical scars post-cancer. This made the kids w/ the invisible disabilities (Dyslexia, AD/HD,) comfortable w/ just being themselves too. It was beautiful - never forced, always happened. #CatholicEdChat
A3 Including everyone. One of the great things I see in Catholic Schools is the smaller community allows the kids to really know each other and accept each other’s differences. #CatholicEdChat
Q3: easy ways in the class is student lead prayer. School wide this week we wrapped up our Giving Tree for the Samaritan Center. Each family(our house system) donated a gift to bring joy this season. #CatholicEdChat
Good Morning #CatholicEdChat! Karen from Southern California...
The saint saw the Church as a great Ship of Peter surrounded by a flotilla of other vessels. St John Bosco.
And for our community (50% Catholic but also Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Protestant, unchurched...) illustrates the living presence of a loving Creator... even in math class! Ss are so generous with each other & learn to respect love & faith in all forms. #catholicedchat
A3: I have seen amazing communities develop when Catholic schools embrace inclusion. It benefits the child with special needs, and the caring that develops among his/her classmates is incredible! #CatholicEdChat
A3. Every class at CM starts with prayer. In my class there is a “co-teacher of the day” (all students take a turn multiple times each year by alphabetical order) Co-T checks dress code and must have a prepared prayer #CatholicEdChat
A3 cont. This opening ritual has had the uninteded result of being a moment of community and brotherhood as student rib and correct each other for dress code infractions and then follow with meaningful intentions before prayer #CatholicEdChat
Excellent question! This is topic of discernment for us this year (challenged by Province). As only Jesuit apostolate in Indiana, how do we become a resource and light for spiritual growth beyond traditional service projects? #catholicedchat
Q4 I always had my kiddos plan their own class parties. In doing so they learned how to serve and celebrate in community just as we do as we prepare the Lord’s table. #CatholicEdChat
Q4: I was so proud of my 3rd hour! Thursday we had an amazing conversation about the importance of mass. Teenagers question the why of mass. As educators we must share our faith and our why! We must show courage and reveal at little bit about ourselves.#CatholicEdChat
A1: This year I'm being more purposeful in doing 10x2 conversations. Interacting with that struggling student for 10 days in 2 min conversations just to learn more about them. I also pray for them every day of those 10. #CatholicEdChat#virturebased
A4 With students in newspaper class - we talk a lot about prophetic voice against power structures that harm those without power. With adults we talk about living with heart open to love and mercy. Many ties to scripture & St. Ignatius in both #catholicedchat
A4: During prayer, I sometimes shared a story about me from when I was the same age as my students. Usually about a bad choice I made, and how someone lovingly helped me improved. They laughed at how much help I needed! #CatholicEdChat
A4. When we read a story from the bible I remind them “YOU are a part of this story. We are in it right now. Your choices...to accept, reject, etc. are shaping the story.” #CatholicEdChat
A1: This year I'm being more purposeful in doing 10x2 conversations. Interacting with that struggling student for 10 days in 2 min conversations just to learn more about them. I also pray for them every day of those 10. #CatholicEdChat#virturebased
A5: Lectio Divina is a great way to bring reason to faith. You can out yourself in the story and ask Jesus straight out what you are thinking. Teens love this. #CatholicEdChat
There is something so powerful about sharing failures and the wisdom we gained from the experience. I do this with my children all the time. #CatholicEdChat
A5. I think one of the most successful things we do @CatholicMem is to offer seniors interdisciplinary electives for theology. Th & Sci., & Economic, & Phil. & Hist. & Lit. These are a great opportunity to show the reasonablenss of faith in application. #CatholicEdChat
