This article was contributed by Pam Bernards, Ed.D., NCEA Director of Professional Development.
The more I have the opportunity to visit with Catholic educators across the country, the more I experience first-hand the “Good News” of Catholic school education. As I write this, I am on my return flight from spending two days with the California Catholic School Superintendents’ Curriculum Committee. I am still smiling! This group of superintendents and assistant superintendents numbering 20+, representing the twelve arch/dioceses in California, along with Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Portland, Oregon, Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada and Seattle, Washington, meets twice a year, once at Villa Maria del Mar in Santa Cruz, CA and once in southern California. It did not take long for me to recognize this is a dedicated group of educators committed to providing a quality, faith infused, and academically excellent Catholic school experience for the students entrusted to their care. They readily welcomed me to the group as well as those new to their positions who were attending the meeting for the first time.
Co-chairs Laurie Power, Associate Superintendent in the Diocese of Sacramento, and Sally Todd, Associate Superintendent in the Diocese of Orange, led the group through a full agenda. Topics included inclusion, standards-based assessment, instruction, student reporting, Next Generation Science Standards, and instructional coaching to name a few. It was wonderful to experience the ready sharing of ideas, success stories, lessons learned, and updates on current initiatives. In order to enhance communication and collaboration, the group uses Basecamp3, which is a project management and collaboration tool. It was great to watch as Julie Cantillon, Associate Superintendent in the Diocese of San Diego, updated the Basecamp as the meeting progressed. Documents were shared and posted, the to-do-list was updated, and a poll was sent for feedback from the group.
It was very heartening to see the support and encouragement offered from one to another. It exemplifies what Catholic school education is all about. I enjoyed spending time getting to know them and learning about all the wonderful things they are doing which ultimately benefit the students. I look forward to working with them in the future!
