CINCINNATI — Nearly 5,000 Catholic school educators and
administrators attended the National Catholic Educational Association
Convention and Expo at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati
April 3-5.
The three-day convention was filled with workshops
dealing with how to help students write more creatively or tackle math
concepts, use modern technology safely and live their faith in the
modern world, but it also examined constant challenges and a way forward
for educators and Catholic education at large.
In the opening
session, Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, prefect of the Vatican Congregation
for Catholic Education, encouraged educators from around the country to
continue in their role as missionaries and evangelists.
He urged
the convention delegates to take to heart what the pope has said about
education, primarily to always place the heart of the Gospel in their
ministry and to see the importance of their work as evangelization, not
just with students but parents and in dialogue with the larger world.
“You are forming young people for service to the Church and society,” he told them.
In
a keynote address, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Bridgeport, Conn.,
similarly echoed the pope’s call for missionary disciples and how it
applies to teachers at Catholic schools and religious education
programs.
A highlight of the event was the exhibition hall that
featured more than 260 educational products and services, including
cutting-edge technology.
During the convention, awards were
presented to individuals and organizations that have contributed
significantly to Catholic education through innovation, advocacy,
outreach and sheer dedication. Distinguished teachers, principals,
pastors, presidents, superintendents were also honored.
Thomas
Burnford, president and CEO of NCEA, described the annual convention as
“three days packed with professional development for teachers,
principals, pastors and superintendents who educate and form nearly 2
million Catholic school students in the United States.”