Diocese hosts Catholic educators conference

More than 400 Catholic school administrators, teachers and staff will gather at the Omni Bayfront Hotel in Corpus Christi on Nov. 18 for the annual Diocesan Catholic Educators Conference. Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey will celebrate Mass at 8:30 a.m. to open the conference.

This year’s conference has embraced the theme of the diocese’s Centennial Jubilee. The title of the keynote address by Sister Clare Fitzgerald, SSND is “Remember, Rejoice and Renew – the Unavoidable Present Moment!”  Principals and assistant principals will hear Bishop Mulvey speak on “A Century of Tradition/Lifetime of Faith.” 

Secondary teachers, meanwhile, will listen to Sister Clare’s presentation on “Welcome Global Learners.” This presentation will focus on students who are the global learners of tomorrow.  Educators are aware about the “bifurcated” education they are receiving in and out of school.  Catholic educators are concerned about their living their faith in a growing secular culture.    

Sister Annette Wagner, Director of Consecrated Life for the diocese, will hold a session on “Finding the Gospels in the Curriculum:  Putting Values into Action” for grades K-12. This presentation will explore a three-step process that Catholic schoolteachers can use to support the goal of Catholic education.

Early childhood teachers will learn about “Hands-On Learning” from Dr. Norma Zunker. She will provide teachers of young children with hands-on learning activities.  Dr. Zunker will provide interactive learning centers that will enhance learning for the young child.

Sandra Metoyer will present a session to teachers in Grades 5-8 on “Increasing College and Career Readiness in the Sciences through Discipline-Specific Instructional Strategies for Scientific Literacy.” Reading scientific text requires transformation of information from one form to another, scientific visualization, manipulation of data and understanding of unique technical terms.  It also requires a basic understanding of the nature of science as a formal practice of skepticism, inquiry and critical evaluation.  This session will focus on instructional strategies for explicitly modeling scientific literacy skills for students reading scientific text.
Grades K-5 teachers will have the opportunity to learn from Christine Robson on “Problem solving in a Nutshell.” The presentation will focus on problem solving strategies and activities for elementary math.

Andrés Muñoz will provide Grades K-4 teachers with ideas to jump-start the writing process in his talk entitle, “I Want to Write!”

Dr. Steve Bain, LPC/LPC-S will present a talk on “Working with ADD/ADHD Students” to teachers of Grades K-12. Dr. Bain’s presentation will provide an overview of the disorder with practical strategies for helping ADD/ADHD children be successful.