Renewing our commitment, zeal, and hope for Catholic education

It was definitely a neat experience to have NCEA 2019 in our very own city of Chicago this past week. The Archdiocese shut down for two days, and all schools were required to send their staffs. I bumped into so many people - my own current faculty, teachers I used to work with at my previous school, classmates from Remick and ACE, friends & professors from Notre Dame, and other fellow teachers from across the city. Plus, many of my faculty got to meet my twin sister and thought they were seeing double. (We were turning heads right and left, for sure.)

LOVED seeing our high school ACE teacher - she was the best!

Remick 15 representation at NCEA

Always a good time when you get ACE XV friends together
(And the ACE HH was amazing!)

Over the two days, I ended up attending some good sessions, and I also had the opportunity to present about how to engage our Catholic school students in their weekly/monthly Masses. The presentation stemmed from my grad school work, and I was originally encouraged to apply by one of my grad school supervisors. In looking back, I am so grateful for the push - it was a terrific experience (even though I was extremely nervous in the weeks leading up to it), and I believe the people who came walked away with some practical ideas to put into place in their own communities. In fact, I received an email yesterday from one of the attendees, and it truly made my day -->

Here are a couple of pics from the session - the principal I work with and some of my friends snapped some photos -->

I believe this was before the technology cut out...

Pretty sure I was praying for grace and peace at this point!

As teachers and leaders in Catholic schools, we need to constantly seek opportunities, both formal and informal, to renew our commitment, zeal, and hope for our work with the young people in our care. So, in my humble opinion, what probably is the most fruitful thing that came from the conference is the boost of energy and ideas for everyone who attended NCEA - the timing of being right near the end of the school year could not have been better as we make the final stretch toward summer and we work to keep it meaningful, rigorous, and joyful. 

I am so proud and blessed to be working in Catholic education - I believe that just as it was a gift for me growing up, our Catholic schools are a gift to the students who come through our doors each and every day. For all of my fellow Catholic school educators - keep up the good work! And know you are in my prayers.

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.

I get by with a little help from my friends...

Back home (in my apartment with no air conditioning), I can finally breathe and let the past 25 months (or 3 years, same difference, right?) sink in. I won't shy away from the fact that it was challenging, but I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.

And, in addition to God, my classmates, professors, and family are the ones to thank for that...


PLC 1: Always remember to PLC like a champion today...and never follow Phil.

We just weren't complete the first week...

My prayer partner:

My roommate (3 summers running...):

My ACE housemate (now in the program one year behind me):

Our amazing Holy Cross priests:

annual t-shirt unveiling

My 29 classmates:

Room 210 for presentation day - love these guys!

ACE 15, now RLP 15 :) :)

all graduated!! :D

My family:

Now it is time to look forward to what the future holds...may God bless all of us as we continue our endeavors as Catholic school educators and leaders!

A Grateful Heart

Only on a ND-sponsored trip do you stay in an Irish inn and pub...

I want to hang a sign like this up in my classroom...

The past few days in Milwaukee were truly wonderful. We spent time visiting a handful of high-performing schools that have truly created cultures of joy.

what I tell my students - minus the Aaron Rodgers part

Lots of focus on college...couldn't find USF though...

This reminded me I'm so torn for the upcoming football game...

The trip was a life-giving in terms of all of the amazing things and people we saw, and it was life-giving for another reason too - I spent quality time with some of my Remick classmates, and I also ran into some other familiar faces (from the ol' ACE days) who I wasn't expecting. It was a lovely surprise!

Lakefront Brewery tour - Remick leaders & instructors

the first ones to the inn!

selfie with Fr. Nate

PLC 1 excitement - can't stop this

ACE 15 :)

When I count my blessings, I count ACE twice...no, make that more like two hundred times. It's the program that keeps on giving, and I get to keep learning. I don't know exactly what the future will hold for Catholic education (or my life in general, let's be real), but I am excited to play my part here in Chicago.