This article was contributed by Pam Bernards, NCEA Director of Professional Development.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the University of Dayton Center for Catholic Education, the annual Catholic Education Summit was expanded to a three day event. The 2016 Colloquium: Lead, Contemplate, Innovate! was held on June 23, 24 and 25. The event was sponsored by the University of Dayton Center for Catholic Education, the St. Remy Initiative, and the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives.
The first day of the Colloquium was dedicated to Lead, with the St. Remy Initiative as the focal point. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the UD Center for Catholic Education and the Catholic School Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The goal of the program is to provide professional development for lay administrators and teachers whereby they strengthen their knowledge and skills in the spiritual, academic, and managerial aspects of their vocation as Catholic school educators. The program was developed in response to the need for lay administrators and teachers to live out their vocation as Catholic school educators who provide religious instruction and faith formation in Catholic schools. Additional information on this program is available at the St. Remy Initiative and their program. Those interested in such a program for their diocese should contact Dr. Toni Moore, Director of the St. Remy Initiative and the Catholic Leadership Institute Project, at [email protected].
The second day was dedicated to Innovate and Contemplate, with The Catholic Education Summit. The theme was “Listen, Dialogue, Plan, Act: Contemplation and Technology in Catholic Schools.” Attendees began the day by exploring contemplation as a part of mission and identity and incorporating it into the life and culture of Catholic schools with talks by Paul Tratnyek, “Christian Mediation with Children” and Father Michael Fish, OSB, Cam, “Contemplation in Everyday Life. The afternoon was dedicated to exploring the role of technological innovation in pursuit of academic excellence and using it as a means of bolstering Catholic education with talks by Gail Donahue, “Inspiration, Innovation, & Integration: Technology in Catholic Schools” and Katie Poeppelmeier, “Technology Tools to Engage Students”. For additional information about these speakers and topics, contact Dr. Susan Ferguson, Executive Director of the UD Center for Catholic Education at [email protected].
The last day was centered on Contemplate, with the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives hosting a day on Christian Mediation for Children. Sr. Angela Ann Zuchowski, Executive Director of the UD Institute for Pastoral Initiatives and Paul Tratnyek provided an informative and inspirational day. Attendees learned the history and benefits of Christian mediation and experienced it first-hand as Paul led them through several brief meditation sessions. Sr. Angela Ann Zuchowski is currently developing a program for implementation in Catholic schools.
