Teachers
DESCRIPTIONS of TOPICS for PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
** REFER TO WEBSITE "ADULT SPIRITUALITY" REGARDING TOPICS FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT (Retreat Experiences).
Topics can be adapted to:
The core issues in Formative Education are recommended in this order:
1. Development of Self-Esteem / Soul Formation / Positive Identity
2. Understanding Needs and Behavior / Fostering Self-Discipline
3. Conscience / Character Formation / Moral Development
Catholic Schools – Agencies of Formation Education --- ( ELEMENTary K -- 8 )
Providing foundation for the lifelong process of soul formation is the primary responsibility of parents and the mission of the Catholic school. Parents and teachers contribute vitally to the soul formation of a child when they communicated genuine affection and foster development of security, autonomy, initiative and industry. This presentation will lead K-8 teachers to identify practices of home and school that foster identity formation and positive self-esteem.
Resilient, Self-Reliant Students -- Born or Formed? (Resilience! Indicator and By-Product of Self-Esteem) --- ( ELEMENTary K -- 8 )
Unify parents and teachers in forming resilient, self-reliant children. Explore practices that ignite hope, strengthen willpower, instill purpose, and develop competence. Consider models for staff in-service. Explore ways to mentor parents. “Take-away” research-based formative support in the form of reproducible parent newsletters for independent use, assembly use, or parent-pods.
connect the dots between attitude, behavior and self-esteem --- ( ELEMENTARy K -- 8 . . . &/or . . .SECONDARY )
Self-discipline (self-regulation, impulse control) requires students to name, claim and tame feelings and emotions that lead to attitude and behavior. K-8 teachers and administrators will learn how to “read” the signs of student need, to give appropriate, effective response in the moment, and to use pro-active practices for the future. (NCEA Publication: Student Self-Discipline in the Classroom and Beyond)
in loco jesu --- ( ELEMENTary K -- 8 and.or secondary)
It is commonly known that teachers stand “in loco parentis” … “in the place of the parent.” In Catholic schools and in Religious Education classes it is accurate to say that the instructor is also “in loco Jesu” . . . in the place of Jesus! This session will focus on teacher practices that craft Christian Community. (NCEA Book: Embrace the Mission – Be the “I” in Evangelize!)
be the "I" in Evangelize! --- ( ELEMENTary K -- 8 and.or secondary)
Catholic School teachers: embrace your mission! Be an intentional, invitational and inspirational agent of evangelization to students. Foster the ABCs of Catholic Identity: (A) Accentuate the Positive. (B) Bring a BE-Attitude to Ministry. (C) Cultivate a Culture of Community. This presentation will unpack these terms and offer practical, easy-to-replicate ideas. (NCEA Publication: Embrace the Mission: Be the “I” in Evangelize
being a faith-formator vs. working as a faith-formator --- ( ELEMENTary K -- 8 and.or secondary)
Attention faith-formators (Catholic School Teachers and Catechists)! Enrich your personal commitment to Jesus and affirm your catechist-vocation. Consider the threefold aspects of your call: (1) witnessing (2) mentoring and (3) teaching. This presentation will consider Pope Francis as a pre-eminent catechist and it will offer practical, easy-to-imitate ideas. (Twenty-third Publications: Engaging the Parking Lot Parent)
agents of accompaniment --- ( ELEMENTary K -- 8 and.or secondary)
Parents and students who journey through life challenges need teachers, catechists, and administrators to respond to their vocation of accompaniment in three ways: (1) to companion parents and students with compassion; (2) to witness, mentor and teach in the manner of Pope Francis; and (3) to communicate hope. This presentation will consider Pope Francis as a pre-eminent agent-of-accompaniment and it will offer practical, easy-to-imitate ideas. (Twenty-third Publications: Engaging the Parking Lot Parent)
being a missionary of mercy -- in my own backyard --- ( ELEMENTary K -- 8 and.or secondary)
Attention faith-formators (Catholic School Teachers and Catechists)! Enrich your personal commitment to Jesus and affirm your catechist-vocation. Consider the threefold aspects of your call: (1) witnessing (2) mentoring and (3) teaching. This presentation will consider Pope Francis as a pre-eminent catechist and it will offer practical, easy-to-imitate ideas. (Twenty-third Publications: Engaging the Parking Lot Parent)
CULTIVATE A MICAH MINDSET: DO JUSTICE!. --- ( ELEMENTARy K -- 8 AND/OR .SECONDARY )
"JUSTICE comes before CHARITY," said Blessed Pope John XXIII. PEACE follows. Psalm 15 will provide the framework for discussing justice-practices within the school community. Topics include:
development, learning, Behavior, discipleship -- piecing it all together **
** (Fullday Workshop [4-Hour Minimum] for ELEMENTARY K -- 8 and/or SECONDARY. Participant access to the Internet is a requirement.)
Discipleship implies Discipline -- the ability to hear the will of God, understand what it means, and put it into action. A climate for discipleship flourishes when teachers practice with consistency the following goals:
- • Structure for success via classroom management and student motivation
- • Know leadership style theory and focus on functioning as a facilitator (AKA: democratic leader)
- • Cultivate a developmental understanding of students -- (cognitive, social-emotional, moral, and spiritual growth)
- • "Read" human need; recognize what prompts misbehavior
- • Establish proactive practices to avoid and/or to redirect misbehavior
- • Design effective consequences
- • Partner with parents; function as an agent of hope
- Each goal will be supported by tried and true practices. Participants will review helpful electronic resources.
- A- Accentuate Gospel Values
- B- Build Bridges to Evangelization
- C- Create a Culture of Community
CATHOLIC IDENTITY**
** (ELEMENTARY K-8 . . . and/or . . . SECONDARY)(A) The ABCs of Catholic Identity
(B) A Catholic School Teacher – The "I" in Evangelize
Evangelization, that is, leading students and parents to meet the person of Jesus Christ, is core to the identity of the Catholic School. It is a mission that transcends curriculum and schedules. Whether in the classroom, on a field trip, or in the health office, what we do and the way that we do it speaks more effectively than our words. The presenter will expand these ideas and issue the challenge to LIVE the ABC's of Catholic Identity so as to BE the "I" in Evangelize!
The Sacramentality of Catholic Educators --- ( ELEMENTARy K -- 8 . . . &/or . . .SECONDARY )
A truly Catholic educator is like a sacrament: a visible sign, called by Christ, to be a catalyst of grace — the presence of God to others. Enter into a period of reflection on the Presence, Power and Providence of God in your life. Christ calls you to be a STEWARD of Souls, that is, a Servant, Transformational Leader, Evangelizer, Welcomer, Affirmer, Referee, and Defender of the Gospel.
Catholic Schools - Our Mission to Form Saints ---( ELEMENTARy K -- 8 . . . &/or . . .SECONDARY )
It is the vocation of the Catholic School Teacher to form saints. This awesome responsibility requires the teacher to live well the baptismal call to be PRIEST, PROPHET, and KING – in the classroom and during informal encounters. This presentation will "unpack" these terms and suggest concrete applications that integrate the Gospel throughout the school day.
Promoting Christian Character via a Liturgical Classroom EnvironmenT --- ( elementary K -- 8 )
Fall initiates a new year in the lives of students and simultaneously marks the closing of the liturgical year. To a catechist/teacher, the intersection of the two life-seasons presents an opportunity for Christian character development. This session will offer strategies for applying the Sunday Gospel to daily life and for establishing a LITURGICAL CULTURE within the classroom.
we are one family -- bully-proofing the school community--- ( elementary K -- 8 )
Bullying is a non-issue when we recognize that we are all members of one family. Bullying, putdowns, hurtful teasing, and emotional isolation are non-issues when parents foster a healthy sense of autonomy that results in self-control, self-regulation, and positive self-esteem. Bullying is a non-issue when children know and practice the dynamic of forgiveness. This presentation offers formative support in five areas:
• personal dynamics of a bully, a victim, a bystander and a disciple
• proactive parent practices that bully-proof the family
• strategies for teaching forgiveness
• advice for victims of bullying
• electronic resources on topics like bully-proofing, social competency, friendship, how to handle teasing, put downs, cliques, peer pressure, building moral intelligence, esteem-building, . . .
Partnering WITH Parents ---( ELEMENTARy K -- 8 . . . &/or . . .SECONDARY )
Mutual respect and open communication between parents and teachers is vital for the positive, whole-person development of children. Respectful assertiveness is also characteristic of disciples of Jesus. WITH (wisdom, initiative, truth, hope) suggests a formula for a positive partnership. Teacher goals include:
The Secret to Classroom Management? T.E.A.C.H.---( ELEMENTARy K -- 8 )
Effective teachers T.E.A.C.H. to establish and maintain a positive learning environment. They TEACH more than proctor, ENGAGE students, APPLY developmental psychology, CREATE a sense of community and HARVEST hope within students, particularly those most at risk. Educators will benefit greatly from the spiritual, theoretical, practical, & motivational support available in this presentation. Extended support is available in the NCEA book, Student Self-Discipline in the Classroom and Beyond.
Structure for Success —Tips that replace SURVIVE with THRIVE --- ( ELEMENTARY K -- 8 )
Make the most effective use of time within a class session by structuring for success. Session participants will consider "housekeeping" tips, grouping activities, classroom routines, student behavior, teaching procedures, and ways to organize the classroom environment for success.
Thrive versus. Survive– A Gospel Imperative --- ( elementarY K -- 8 )
"THRIVE rather than merely survive!" is the goal of effective teachers. T-H-R-I-V-E requires that we TEACH more than proctor; HONE teaching skills; RESPOND rather than react; INTEGRATE Gospel values; Model VIRTUE; and EVANGELIZE by being intentional, invitational, and inspirational. This presentation will provide practical support for this process.
cultivate Christian Character --- ( elementary K -- 8 )
Character, the distinguishing feature of personality and behavior that persists, regardless of outside pressure or personal temptation, is both taught and caught! Character development begins at home and progresses by developing habits of mind, heart and action that lead to moral maturity.
Core issues included in this presentation are:
MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY -- (TEACHERS 6 - 8 )
(A) Middle School Teaching – Not for the Faint of Heart!
(B) It's a Bird! --- It's a Plane! --- It's a Middle School TeacheR!
Be affirmed and stretched by discussing the social, cognitive, moral, and spiritual and sexual profile of "tween-stagers," the characteristics of effective middle school teachers, and the challenges peculiar to this stage of life. Take heart! There is life after adolescence and joy in the journey.
Teacher as Compass: "True North" for Teens ----- (secondary)
An effective teacher of teens serves as mentor, mirror, and model. During a time of searching and role confusion, teens need a teacher who will be "true north" for them. This presentation reviews the core elements of teen-stage development and the characteristics of effective high school teachers:
Connecting the Dots between NEED and BEHAVIOR ----- (secondary)
Teens need teachers to serve as Sacramental Guides on the journey to self-mastery, self-regulation, and impulse control. Self-discipline is possible when students learn how to name, claim, and tame feelings and emotions that result in attitude and behavior. Since all behavior occurs for a social purpose, it is essential that teachers can connect the dots between core issues of identity development and teen behavior. The session will focus on the dynamics that foster self-discipline. These learnable skills are the focus of this presentation.