Reimagining Catholic Education: Wonder, Wisdom, and Witness
- Butte Central
- Oct 22
- 1 min read
By Israel Aguilar
This Catholic educators conference brought together teachers and school leaders for a day of professional development centered on Catholic educational values and practical teaching strategies. The day began with a keynote address by Sister Mary Agnes Greiffendorf, from Aquinas College, Nashville, titled "'Lost, All Lost in Wonder': Seeing Our Educational Vocation Anew," which set the tone for reimagining the calling of Catholic education. Following the first rounds of sessions, we were privileged to be present for a beautiful Homily Provided by Bishop Vetter. Following Mass and lunch, the conference featured two rounds of concurrent breakout sessions covering diverse topics:
Pedagogical Approaches: Sessions explored active learning techniques for middle and high school classrooms, Socratic pedagogy, the role of oral language development, and sacramental imagination in teaching.
Faith Integration: Presenters addressed the integration of faith and reason in STEM education, Catholic social teaching, bringing Scripture to life, and fostering sacramental culture in schools.
Student Development: Topics included supporting middle school students' academic growth and holistic development, with a special focus on the De La Salle Blackfeet School's approach.
Curriculum: A dedicated session presented St. Patrick's Middle School curriculum model.
Sister Mary Agnes led an additional breakout for school leaders on fostering sacramental culture, while presenters from institutions including the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education, Carroll College, and various diocesan schools shared their expertise. The conference concluded with a closing plenary session.
