My Big, Fat...Catholic Confirmation

I've always found it wonderful at Confirmation at ICSJ that the entire row goes up with each Confirmandi and sponsor for the presentation to, and anointing by, the Bishop. It's such a beautiful witness of faith and community. The Bishop speaks to each student, and his words are full of such wisdom and hope (trust me from years of listening in by sitting in the front row) that it is good for the whole group to hear what is said.

This year we celebrated the Confirmation of students I taught in 6th and 7th grade. Every group of students is special, but this particular group holds a significant space in my heart. I taught many of these students' siblings and have known the families for quite some time. I tended to go to their sporting events more than the other classes (except my own volleyball girls, of course), and they were always so creative and inquisitive.

Now, this event had been on my calendar for a long time, and I wouldn't miss it for the world. But I would be lying if I didn't say when I actually won the Hamilton lottery for that evening that I didn't have second thoughts about ditching the Mass and going to the show instead.

When it came down to it, though, I declined the tickets. It may sound crazy (and I won't judge you for thinking so), but if I wasn't at Confirmation I would have spent the whole night thinking about the students and Mass anyways. And what fun would that have been at Hamilton? (Plus, in all fairness, I've seen it twice...I've just never won the lottery before!) I believe I made the right decision - the Mass was such a blessing.

If I had to take a guess, the average amount of family/guests for each student was between 5 and 10, with some students surrounded by nearly 20 people. (It almost seemed like some unspoken contest to see who had the most people...kidding.) I knew it was going to be a challenge to find a seat - I didn't want to get stuck all the way in the back - but, as fate would have it, one my the students asked me to sit in her row. I fit easily, as it was just her and her mom - her sponsor (and other extended family) live out of town and it was not possible for them to travel. I was honored to sit with them, and I also was invited to walk up to the Bishop with them, where her 8th grade religion teacher met us and served as the stand-in for her sponsor. The Bishop talked about her smile as a sign of joy, one of the fruits of the Spirit. His words touched me, and I hope they touched her as well, as she was one of those students who never seemed quite content with accepting some Church teachings. And something else brought me nearly to tears - during the Alleluia, she did the sign language that I had taught them last year. I can't believe she remembered it! (Just goes to show how much movement sticks with you, I suppose.)

I envy ICSJ for ending Catholic Schools Week with Confirmation Mass - it's so appropriate, so perfect. It's a true celebration of the Catholic faith in our young people. (Come Holy Spirit!) I'm so proud and so incredibly happy for them. I pray that they continue to excel and to pursue deeper understanding of their faith in high school, which is an exciting possibility considering many will be going to Catholic high school. :) Love and prayers for those kiddos - keep it up!

While it was amazing to witness the Sacrament, see students, and catch up with the families at ICSJ, I was just the tiniest bit sad. I realized how much I miss those kids, my coworkers, my pastor, and the school families. But I also realized that I had moved on for a reason and that I am starting to find that same sense of community and support at my current school now too.

Speaking of my current school...Catholic Schools Week, overall, was a success - it just was slightly disrupted due to the midweek subzero temperatures. The kids enjoyed the dress down days and activities, to be sure. But here are my two quick highlights:

1. I received two notes, one from a friend who works for ACE and one from a previous student, which truly put me over the moon. As a teacher, it is rare to see the fruits of your labor, so the kind words relayed by my friend and written by my student were such a gift. I love hearing how my students are doing, and I love learning about their successes.

2. For teacher appreciation day, the student council made mugs and brought donuts to the whole staff. As one of the students gave me mine, she smiled and said, "I made yours." I love it!

I have been blessed with more than I ever deserve to be - God is good. I pray that I can pay it forward in large and small ways, day in and day out, even when I get frustrated or upset. 

Our lives are truly a gift. We, myself included, need to live in such a way that shows we believe that.

Catholic School Leadership 101

I didn't plan to leave ICSJ at the end of the 2017-2018 school year...but when an opportunity to work with an incredible Catholic school leader falls in your lap (I'm forever grateful, Greg!), you take a chance, apply, and pray.

I won't lie, it was a tough couple of weeks discerning whether to even apply in the first place and then, if I got the job (after the two rounds of interviews) if I should take it. A handful of friends were incredibly helpful in helping me think through the pros and cons, whether in person or on the phone (or even via email) - I couldn't have done it without them...or, at least, it would have been quite a bit more difficult and less clear.

And it was a hectic time of year - volleyball season was ending, I was getting ready to run a marathon, and I was having my year-end teacher evaluation meeting with my principal. But it all worked out, my principal was extremely supportive, and everything wrapped up quite nicely.

Going into the school year, I wasn't sure how I would feel to be out of the classroom after doing it for ten years. (It was going to be a change, that was the only sure part.) I knew I would be younger than many of the teachers I would be leading, but I also knew that my principal would be an amazing mentor and that she believed in me. And the first semester turned out pretty well. I know I made some mistakes - there's always opportunity for growth and learning - and I'd like to think I did at least a few things right. When friends ask me what I miss most about teaching, I not so jokingly reply that I don't miss the grading or lesson planning. (There, I admitted it.)

I've had the opportunity to walk with students in good times (e.g. girls' basketball championship, pizza with the principals, school play, etc.) and in hard times (e.g. poor behavior choices, death of student family members). My principal makes the bulk of the decisions, but she consults me quite a bit, and I'm learning the ins and outs of our Southside community. I truly believe I'm learning from the best.

As Catholic Schools Week comes to a close, I can't imagine not being in Catholic education. As the ACE Academies so succinctly put it, our goals for our students are college and heaven - and what more noble goals can there be?

Please continue to pray for our Catholic schools across the nation, our students, faculties, leaders, and families - may God strengthen us all in wisdom and love as we strive each day to make God known, loved, and served to all we meet.

Catholic School City Life

When I tell people I'm from Florida (and lived in Arizona for a few years), they always look at me with a puzzled face (especially during the winter stretch) and ask, "So, why do you live in Chicago?"

I came because my sister came first - it was hard to be as far away from family as I had been in Phoenix, so I figured I would move to where Marisa was or move home to Florida. I pursued Chicago (where one of my friends helped me get my foot in the door for an interview for a fourth grade position at the school he worked in), and the rest, as they say, is history.

This would prove another Catholic school that formed me in so many ways, many of which I may never know or realize. During my time at ICSJ, I worked with many skilled and devoted colleagues. Our principals held us (and the students) to the highest standards of excellence, and it felt like we were always on the cutting edge of curriculum, scheduling, PD, etc.

I gained two more years of experience co-teaching fourth grade with three incredible women, and then I had the opportunity to take on the position of middle school religion teacher. I'm sure many people (including my mother) questioned my sanity for switching to middle school, but it was such a good decision, and I am forever grateful to my principal for recognizing my gifts and passion for teaching the faith and for giving me that chance.

As I taught the students, I learned more and more about the Catholic faith - the whats and the whys behind different teachings, rituals, and prayers. I deepened my appreciation for the saints, especially in helping students prepare for Confirmation, and I made time for Bible studies outside of school in order to learn more so as to better help my students. I asked so many questions (and am grateful for friends and priests who helped me find the answers), and I fell deeper in love with our faith. While many students still protested at the thought of going to Mass and didn't always see eye to eye with the Catholic teachings, I sincerely hope that I planted a few seeds over those five years teaching middle school.

It was also over my time at ICSJ that I was supported by my principal in my Remick program courses, and where I was given many opportunities for professional development and leadership experience. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my volleyball girls - we spent 5 years together on the court, and I will never forget the lessons I learned from them, and I can only hope they learned a few things (not just about volleyball but also being young women of faith) from me and my co-coaches.

Thank you, ICSJ, for seven years of learning and deepening my faith. Thank you for helping me strive for excellence in my teaching and in fostering my leadership skills among my peers.

(Please pray for this year's ICSJ 8th graders who will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation this weekend - I know they have been working hard, and I can't wait to celebrate with them!)

4th grade teaching team

never wear black pants when doing a Valentine's Day craft with cocoa powder...

more fourth grade fun - learning the regions (and having people send postcards from around the USA)

In 2017 I was blessed to sponsor this young lady for her Confirmation

I lost my heart in Arizona...

"You're going to Phoenix."

Arizona? I've never really traveled west of the Mississippi, except for that one trip to Denver.

Who knew that living and teaching in Arizona would change my life?

ACE did.

Where else would I have rallied the students to wear yellow to celebrate Roald Dahl's birthday?...

Or baked 6 giant cookies shaped like Arizona for students to frost to demonstrate knowledge of the different geographical parts of the state?...

Or had parents help me create the magical world of Narnia for our novel read aloud?...

Where would my heart have grown so many sizes because I had fourth graders who were eager to learn, live, love, and pray - students who challenged me to learn and love more?

And had school parents (now friends) who did the same?

Amazingly, the Salesians (the sisters this time) had found their way into my life again. And, we had Holy Cross priests too. It was the best of all worlds. And it was mine to be a part of for three years. Leaving SJV was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do because I was ingrained in the community, and my heart belonged to each of the students I had taught (and those in sign language club too).

Thank you, SJV, for supporting me as a first (and second and third) -year teacher. I learned so much from my colleagues and from my students. You helped me develop and polish my craft and gifts. You were an unbelievable home away from home. Thank you for welcoming me into your school and hearts - a piece of my own heart will always be with you.

ACE at ND, FTW

Growing up, I always wondered what the fascination was with Notre Dame. Why was everyone an Irish fan even if they hadn't attended?

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to discover firsthand when I enrolled as a student as part of the Alliance for Catholic Education's Master of Education program (and later as part of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership program). And so, my Catholic education journey continued...and this time, it would lead me into teaching (and, eventually, leading) in Catholic schools (but those schools are saved for the next blog posts).

What a gift to study along such talented and devoted men and women pursuing their own MEd. The fact that we had incredible Holy Cross priests, daily dorm/chapel Mass, retreats, and many havens, including the Grotto, at our fingertips was truly a blessing. To quote Tom Dooley, "Do the students ever appreciate what they have, while they have it?" I'm not sure we ever truly could...at least, I know for me I tried but fell short. Still, the faith formation was tantamount, and while I could have pursued teaching through other channels or programs, my education would not have been the same.

If putting into words what Holy Family and St. Pete Catholic did for me was hard, expressing the value of my experience at Notre Dame (and with the amazing individuals I met, lived with, and worked with there) is going to be nearly impossible... but I'll try.

Here are just a few things I learned:

1. I learned that the foundational part of teaching comes from building relationships with your students. Our professors modeled that with us and helped us build relationships with one another. As my dad always reminds me, "Your students won't care how much you know until they know how much you care." ACE encouraged creativity, divergent thinking. The program energized us and gave us resources to run our own classrooms. I loved our elementary content classes, mostly because of my fellow classmates in there with me - so much joy and zeal.

2. I learned the true definition of community by living with five of the most fun-loving, creative, adventure-seeking, and crazy (which I say with nothing but love!) people I've ever met. They helped me find balance between work and personal life. They helped me expand my cooking repertoire. They helped me perfect my dance moves. They shared their cars without question whenever I needed to borrow them. They taught me how to depend on others, how to accept help, and how to trust more deeply. ACE would not have been the same without them. (It's been way too long since we've all been together, so I can't wait for Pat's wedding this summer - reunion!)

So, we borrowed some shopping cards, and when it was time to return them, we (naturally) had a shopping cart race.

Graduation weekend - ACE Phoenix at the Backer

This group Halloween costume was my favorite - we knew how to have a good time

Maggie's baptism!

3. My first efforts in organizing and managing fundraising came during my time at Notre Dame as well. In my second year, we hosted the annual ACE marathon in Phoenix for my school. The ACE marathon was not only a great excuse to keep up my long distance running (which I do to this day) but also a way to get involved with running for a cause. That marathon weekend in 2010 was definitely one of my all-time favorites - we had a great turnout, my sister and I ran a good race, and we supported SJV! I'm pretty sure these lessons in fundraising will help me as I continue in Catholic school leadership...

4. When life hands you a tremendous group of friends and colleagues, stay in touch (both on professional and personal levels). Yes, we grew together through educational means and social outings, but ACE truly helped us grow together on a spiritual level. Retreats, daily Mass, prayer before classes, Holy Cross priests...ACE formed our hearts just as much as (if not more than) our minds, IMHO. While I don't do the best at staying in touch with many of these folks on even a not-so-regular basis, it's always a true joy when we cross paths at weddings, conferences, trips to various cities, etc. (And, luckily, I live in the same city as a handful of these folks, so that has brought much joy as well!)

5. God may be calling you...listen! Notre Dame has played a huge role in helping me find my vocation (in job terms; in life terms, I'm still figuring that one out) - for not once, but twice, I was formed through an ACE program, the second time as a school leader (with 29 other amazing leaders and friends). It took some time, but enough people directed comments (which, at the time, I thought were just off-hand) to me over the years suggesting that I go into school leadership that I decided to apply for the Remick program. Over the course of the two year program, I learned from both professors and peers about the three pillars of spiritual leadership, instructional leadership, and executive management...and I'm still learning (from the best(!) at my current school). Again, to be formed as a leader through a Catholic program was key, in my opinion.

First ACE 15, then RLP 15. <one million heart explosions>

RLP graduation weekend (July 2018)

RLP graduation (July 2018)

Thank you, Notre Dame and ACE, for growing me as a Catholic school educator and leader. Our hearts (at least mine) do, forever, love thee.

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in...Catholic Elementary School

Holy Family Catholic School - what a truly incredible place. 

It's probably impossible as an elementary student to fully grasp the impact a school and its teachers have had on you as you're growing up. (I'd place a wager that it's hard for many of us as adults to do that too!)

I think of all of my school leaders (Sr. Regina and Sr. Flo) and teachers - Miss Ferguson (& Mrs. Schultz), Mrs. Crabtree, Mrs. Miner, Mrs. Bridge (& Sister Melanie), Miss McKenzie, Mrs. Chase, Mrs. Hosack, Mr. Greenough, Miss Kessler, Ms. Brinsko, Mrs. Fair, Coach Mac, Mrs. Apple, and more - they gave me (and my classmates) strong foundational skills in math and reading, social studies and science, music and art, but I even more remember the love, joy, energy, and compassion with which they taught each day. They didn't just teach the Catholic faith; they lived it.

Many of these teachers were the role models and inspirations for my own career in teaching. Luckily, I've stayed involved somewhat in the parish and school over the years (my parents are still parishioners, and my mom still works at the school), so I've had the opportunity to be able to thank some of them as I've grown older, but I honestly can never say enough. But I hope they know how much they have meant to me and countless others who have been fortunate to be called their students.

My heart is so full remembering the sporting events, annual jog-a-thons, Christmas carol sing-a-longs, music and mime ministries, melodramas, book folder projects, art fairs, book fairs, student leadership board... I could go on and on with many an anecdote or memory, truly - so many opportunities for learning, growing, and loving. But I'll leave it at this for now.

So, thank you, Holy Family teachers and staff, for your amazing dedication to your students and families. Thank you for giving me a firm foundation in both faith and knowledge; thank you for helping to mold my conscience and my character. Thank you for inspiring me to pursue a career in Catholic education and our ultimate goal as Catholics, heaven.

Go Falcons!

Here are a couple of snapshots from the good old elementary school days. I should have asked my mom to scan and send more pictures - I'm certain she has some gems...

My Week-long Ode to Catholic Schools

As a product of Catholic schools all of my life (minus a brief 4 year stint when I attended a public university for college - but still managed to spend a great deal of time at the Catholic Student Union) and as an educator in Catholic schools for 10+ years, I'm a huge proponent of Catholic education. That's why, even in the midst of the craziness of Catholic Schools Week (between dress down days and assemblies, Masses and competitions), I'll admit that I love it.

Catholic schools are a treasure.

(I'm not trying to boast.)

They prepare kids beyond measure

with what matters the most:

They teach both heart and mind;

Students always come first.

They learn how to be kind,

For truth and knowledge they thirst.

It's more than scores on a test

(Though, those do matter a bit)

Did this student try his best?

Did that young lady show grit?

It's somewhat hard to express*

what Catholic education is worth

So, in terms rather simple, it's

a great gift from God on this earth.

*especially in rhyme ;)

(Clearly I had some poetry-writing stored up since I didn't do my usual Christmas card poem this year...)

Anyways...If you've been a follower of this blog for awhile (or if you've just happened upon it from time to time), it's likely no surprise to you how much my posts focus on Catholic education. Back during CSW 2017, I shared the witness that I gave to my students and school community during the homily about why I'm invested in Catholic education. While I was in grad school with the Remick program, I wrote about how I have fallen in love with Catholic education (my very own "What Would You Fight For?"). And the posts have gone on...

This Catholic Schools Week I've decided to give a small shout out to the Catholic schools I've had the blessing to either attend as a student or work at as a teacher/leader by posting a short reflection each day. I hope if you've had the opportunity to attend a (or many) Catholic school(s) throughout your childhood (or if you currently work in one) that you take a few moments this week to reflect on your own experience and to pray for Catholic schools around our country, especially those currently struggling to keep their doors open, those working to expand access to many through school choice legislation, and those that act as safe havens for students in need.

Happy Catholic Schools Week 2019!