As a veteran of 30 years in Catholic Education and mother of two daughters, I am passionate about innovative educational practices and intentional discipleship. Our mission in Catholic Education, and other faith-based education models, blends faith formation and academic excellence. In public education, the focus is on blending academic excellence and character development. Unfortunately, our results are not always successful. This is because we have not focused on the essential question addressed in Matthew’s Gospel: If the seed sown in rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit . . . how do we produce the rich soil as we’re planting the seeds? Where does the rich soil come from? Rich soil is a balance of elements working together, in tandem, balanced and complimenting one another. The plant’s growth and fruitful nature is a collaborative, integrated undertaking. What would the outcome be if we nurtured the soil from the start of the child’s academic and faith formation? What fruit might be seen in Catholic education? In any type of education? In our world? If learning is not relevant and connected, students only learn to “do school”; to pass the test or complete the project; whatever it takes to check off “school” on the “to do” list (Couros, 2015). What if learning was integrated, connected to real life, passion, and purpose? What if we were able to discover the gifts and talents given to us by God and how we might use them in meaningful ways to make a difference? That would be transformational learning! As was the case 200 years ago, when Bishop DuBourg and Mother Duchesne began the first schools in St. Louis, of any kind, we have a chance to make a real difference. We must
Listed skills include Public Speaking, Strategic Planning, Educational Leadership, Curriculum Design, and 30 others.
