Off to Boston

The annual convention of the National Catholic Educational Association is being held this week in Boston.  Most Catholic schools in the area have a few days off this week so the teachers can attend.  Our school faculty is going down tomorrow and Friday so our students have a nice 4 day weekend.

I for one am very excited about the conference.  Tomorrow begins with a keynote address by Dr. Mary McDonald, the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Memphis.  I have heard some amazing things about Dr. McDonald and her work to transform and grow the schools in that diocese.  In an era when Catholic schools across the country are closing, she is opening new ones in Memphis.  Following her talk, there are opportunities throughout the day to attend three breakout sessions on a number of topics.  I am going to try and attend ones that deal with formation, the vocation of a Catholic school teacher, building faith, etc.  

The keynote address on Friday is Father J. Bryan Hehir, the Secretary for Health and Social Services for the Archdiocese of Boston and a professor at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.  Father Hehir is also the former Dean of the Harvard School of Divinity, the first Catholic to ever hold that position.  There are times for three break out sessions on this day as well.  Throughout both days there will be exhibitors and groups from all over the country available.  I am excited to talk to some of the groups I only know through books and social media, like the Alliance for Catholic Education.

Hopefully these will be days in which we will come away inspired and fired up for what we do.  I cannot wait.