NCEA Podcast

Multiage Classes & Microschool Magic

The NCEA Microschool/Multiage Regional Workshop was a sold-out event hosted by the Diocese of Joliet. Participants gathered from TX, CA, WI, DE, IN and MI. In this episode, hear how presenter Abby VanDyke from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School plans for her 4/5 multiage classroom, how presenter Shannon Saxton-Murphy from St. Stanislaus Catholic School balances her microschool budget for operational vitality, and how participant Dani Flint uses a flipped instructional model in her 7/8 multiage class. This episode is sponsored by NWEA.

The Exceptionality of Giftedness

In this episode, Janette Boazman, Ph.D. discusses her recent keynote and breakout session at the NCEA Exceptional Learners regional workshop. Dr. Boazman discusses the gifted & talented programs in Catholic schools as part of a full inclusive model. This episode is sponsored by Green Ninja.

Connecting Advocacy and Academics

In this episode, Joe Womac shares the details of a Florida school choice study that highlights the benefits of Catholic education for students receiving scholarships. Annie Smith shares general data highlights and makes connections between advocacy for school choice and academic success. Enjoy this enlightening look at one state’s programs that raises questions about the potential of programs in other states. This episode is sponsored by Terrace Metrics.

RISING: Learning from Women’s Leadership in Catholic Ministries

Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo is this week's NCEA Podcast guest. Dr. Woo's background includes former Dean of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business; CEO and President of Catholic Relief Services (2012-2016) and board member for many Catholic organizations including NCEA. Today's podcast discusses her new book: "Rising: Learning from Women's Leadership in Catholic Ministries." In this book, Dr. Woo discusses the leadership roles women can take in Catholic Ministries. The book also discusses challenges that women have faced in these roles. This episode is sponsored by Catapult Learning.

Leading with Eyes Toward Equity

Dr. Brandi Odom Lucas is this week’s NCEA Podcast guest. She shares her perspective on leading with equity in mind with a broad look at what it means to be inclusive. As the leader of a Cristo Rey school, Dr. Odom Lucas sees the benefits of providing opportunities and supporting all learners from all backgrounds in the students that graduate from her high school. Dr. Odom Lucas is a leading voice for equity in the Catholic school space with an important role and message for Catholic leaders. Enjoy this week’s podcast sponsored by Our Sunday Visitor.

The Future of the Church is in Good Hands

In this week's podcast, Jill Annable talks with 2022 Catholic high school graduate Caleb Haskell. Caleb's love for the Eucharist prompted action to share with his generation and beyond. Why do Catholics believe in the true presence? The Church is alive in our Catholic school graduates. Enjoy and be inspired! This episode is sponsored by Ignatius Press' Word of Life.

The Ripple Effect

In this week’s podcast, Teacher and Inclusion Consultant Mary Desmarais talks about her experiences as a Catholic school student and how they formed her personally and professionally. As a high school student, Mary became involved in her Catholic high school’s peer mentorship program. There she grew in her understanding and care of persons with intellectual disabilities, which has now become her life’s work as an educator. Enjoy Mary’s inspiring story of mission and love in this week’s NCEA podcast. This episode is sponsored by Blackbaud.

Mental Wellness in K-12 Education

In this week's podcast, Devon Wible discusses programmatic, proactive, positive education around mental wellness for students in preschool though high school. Age-appropriate approaches to relationships, coping mechanisms, and social media are all shared as well as how meeting the needs of teachers and parents can also support student mental wellness. This episode is sponsored by Catapult Learning.

Catholic Social Responsibility

This week’s podcast provides foundational work from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on approaching difficult conversations and navigating the challenges of today’s world in Catholic leadership. The conversation hosted by Jill Annable with guests Sue Nelson and Dr. Kathleen Cepelka brings Catholic social teaching and a Catholic lens to almost any challenge today’s leaders are facing in ministry and education. This episode is sponsored by OSV.

Key Practices for Holistic Social-Emotional Learning

This week our social-emotional learning experts at Friendzy discuss the role of teachers and school counselors as Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports for establishing communities built around social and emotional health. The role of Catholic school counselors and teachers in modeling and teaching skills that promote spiritually, socially, and emotionally healthy spaces is part of daily lessons. In Catholic schools, promoting self-worth and acknowledging the dignity of others is already top of mind, so teaching the skills that help students communicate and even cope comes naturally to our mission. Enjoy the timely and important conversation about mental health in this week’s NCEA Podcast episode sponsored by Friendzy.