Story by Reagan Scott
LINCOLN (SNR) - Teachers in the diocese attended the annual Diocesan Teachers’ Institute Oct. 14 at Pius X High School. Intended to help educators grow spiritually and professionally, this annual event has been put on for almost 25 years.
Sister Collette Bruskewitz, O.S.F., assistant superintendent of schools for the diocese, said about 630 Catholic educators were in attendance, and that the event is a way to help teachers know that they are part of a whole; a unified group.
“This is the one event in the academic year where we have all of our schools and all of our teachers present,” agreed Dr. Matthew Hecker, chief administrative officer for the diocesan schools. “We want to build a sense of unity of our schools, a sense of unity of our mission as Catholic schools, and a sense of camaraderie, of collegial spirit.”
The day started with a welcome from Dr. Hecker followed by a keynote from Dr. Vern Steiner, the president of the Emmaus Institute for Biblical Studies. The title of Dr. Steiner’s keynote was “Making Intentional Disciples: Guidance from the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).”
“Dr. Steiner gave a beautiful presentation on Deuteronomy and helping people to grow in knowledge and love of the truth,” Sister Collette said. “It was very inspiring.”
Dr. Hecker said the choice for keynote speaker centers on some kind of message or theme they’re trying to promote for the year. The overall theme for the diocese’s schools this year is “Forming Intentional Disciples.”
“We want to form intentional disciples of ourselves, as well as form intentional disciples in our students,” Dr. Hecker said.
The institute also focused on the canonization of St. John Henry Newman, which Pope Francis celebrated in Rome the day before. Dr. Hecker said that Newman was at the forefront of promoting Catholic philosophy and Catholic education.
He said, “I hope our teachers took something of Newman home with them, along with the importance of Catholic education and why we do what we do, because of his influence.”
St. John Henry Newman was a 19th century theologian, poet, Catholic priest and cardinal. Originally an Anglican minister, he converted to Catholicism in 1845 and his writings are considered among some of the most important Church writings in recent centuries. He was particularly dedicated to education, founding the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England, and two other schools.
The institute also included two breakout sessions on a variety of topics. The teachers who attended had the opportunity to choose from more than 50 sessions designed to help them grow as educators, and in holiness.
The topics covered a broad range of subjects. Presenters included organizations such as the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Spirital Formation and members of the Equipping prayer team, members of the Education Technology Office, psychologists from Catholic Social Services, Natural Family Planning teachers and more. Other professionals shared educational experiences as well as practical help for teachers, such as managing data from standardized testing, and local library resources. Jay Bellar, the executive director of the Nebraska School Activities Association, addressed coaches and athletic directors. Other sessions were available from resources who presented on teachers’ retirement and benefit services.
Diocesan teachers presented, as well. Ellen Wulf of Lourdes Central in Nebraska City presented on the First Lego League middle-school robotics program. Sarah Zook, principal of St. Mary School in David City, led a session of educator tips for priest-teachers.
Father Nathan Hall, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Roseland and a teacher at Hastings Catholic Schools, presented on using “Garageband” in classroom projects.
Dr. Hecker said, “One of the things that was new this year, and seemed to be well-received, were sharing sessions organized by subject or class.”
Teachers for grades K-8 and high school subjects ranging from physical education to mathematics had the opportunity to meet with other teachers for their subject or class to share ideas and build community.
“Our hope is that teachers will contact each other and continue to help each other and share ideas that they have,” Sister Collette said.
Dr. Hecker and Sister Collette said the evaluations that they had received about the event so far were very positive.
“I have great gratitude for all of the efforts by all of our teachers,” Dr. Hecker said, as well as “the support they give the institute and the support that Bishop (James) Conley gives the institute.
“This event only exists because the bishop supports it and our teachers support it,” he said.
Dr. Hecker is also grateful to Emeritus Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz for celebrating Mass at the event, and for his homily on Saint John Henry Newman. Bishop Conley was in Rome for Newman’s canonization.
This yearly event has a big impact on the diocese’s Catholic education system and is a way to ensure that all of the Catholic educators in the diocese are rallied around a very important goal.
Sister Collette said, “As a Catholic school system, we all share a common vision of getting our kids to heaven.”
