Brother Peter Pontolillo: A Witness to History at NCEA

Brother Peter Pontolillo of Chaminade-Madonna College Prep School in Hollywood, FL spoke with NCEA about the changes he's witnessed over the past 47 consecutive NCEA conventions in which he's attended.

Outgoing NCEA President Speaks About the Role of Technology in Catholic Education

On the last day of the 2013 NCEA Annual Convention, we had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Karen Ristau, outgoing President of NCEA.

Word on Fire and Catholic Education

On April 2, NCEA was delighted to speak with Fr. Robert Barron. Take a look as he discusses the impact his book, Word on Fire, has on the Catholic education community.

The Importance of School Boards

The O'Neil D'Amour Award is given to an individual in recognition of an outstanding contribution of statewide, regional, national, or international significance in establishing and supporting collaborative leadership through boards of Catholic education. It is presented by the National Catholic Educational Association's Department of Boards and Councils at the Board Award Luncheon on Wednesday at the NCEA annual convention. This year, the recipient of the award was Dr. Camille Lewis Brown, Associate Superintendent, Archidiocese of Baltimore.

We spoke with Dr. Brown about the importance of school boards.

Awe-Inspiring Lessons

Nirmala "Nimmy" Thomas is an elementary school teacher whose enthusiasm for teaching is palpable. During her Wednesday session, "Fire-Breathing Dragons in the Bible and More Awe-Inspiring Lessons" she demonstrated the many creative ways she helps capture the hearts and minds of her sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

Her ingenuity is not just inspiring, it's also affordable. She shared many easy-to-create lessons with attendees, including the following:

2013 Secondary Schools Department Educational Excellence Awards

On Wednesday, NCEA presented that 2013 Secondary Schools Department Educational Excellence Awards.

NPCD Presents Emmaus Award to Sadlier Dinger Family

The National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors is proud to confer the 2013 Emmaus Award to the Sadlier Dinger Family for their dedication to Catholic education and catechesis across six generations of one family. For nearly 200 years, members of the family have created catechetical resources that are both faithful and effective in teaching the Catholic faith.

We spoke with brothers Frank and Bill Sadlier Dinger before they were honored Wednesday night about that they have contributed to the field of catechesis.

Spreading the Good News About #NCEA2013

We caught up with Lori Dahlhoff, Executive Director, Religious Education, at NCEA to talk about what she enjoys most about NCEA 2013.

What Do You Like Most About #NCEA2013?

We caught up with a few convention attendees to learn what they're enjoying most about NCEA 2013. For some it was the sessions or the technology, while for others it was the focus on skills and different education levels that excites them. Tell us -- what do you like most about NCEA 2013?

Reinvigorating Catholic Identity in a Digital Age

NCEA was honored to have Sister Angela Ann Zukowski, Director of the Institute for Pastoral Initiatives and Professor in the Department of Religious Studies of the University of Dayton, as our keynote speaker on Wednesday, April 3. She spoke with us afterwards to talk more about reinvigorating Catholic identity in a digital age.

Kathleen Cepelka Receives 2013 John F. Meyers Award #NCEA2013

Kathleen Cepelka, Ph.D is the superintendent of schools, Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She is also the recipient of the 2013 John F. Meyers Award, presented to someone who has supported Catholic education on a national level through such contributions as development, public relations, scholarship programs, or government relations.

We sat down to speak with Ms. Cepelka about the impact of governance and revitalization within Catholic schools.

Meet Recipients of the NCEA 2013 Distinguished Pastor Awards

On Tuesday, April 2, NCEA honored twelve Catholic school pastors with a Distinguished Pastor Award. We were able to speak with two of the recipients to learn more about the impact of parish and school partnerships on Catholic education and the role of Catholic identity.

Father Bernard Etienne is the pastor at Holy Rosary School, diocese of Evansville, IL.

Meet Recipients of the NCEA 2013 Distinguished Teacher Awards

On Tuesday, April 2, NCEA honored twelve Catholic school teachers with a Distinguished Teacher Award. We were able to speak with two of the recipients to learn more about their vision for Catholic education.

Vicki Moorehead is a teacher at St. Anthony Catholic School, Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi.

Meet Recipients of the NCEA 2013 Distinguished Principal Awards

On Tuesday, April 2, NCEA honored twelve Catholic school principals with a Distinguished Principal Award. We were able to speak with a few of the recipients to learn more about their outlook for the future of Catholic leadership.

Nancy Nasko is the principal of St. Pius V Catholic School, Archdiocese in Chicago.

Innovation Institute for Catholic Educators

On Tuesday, April 2 Heather Gossart, Patricia-Weitzel-O’Neill, and Kathleen Quinn offered a NCEA 2013 convention attendees a comprehensive overview of the Innovation Institute for Catholic Educators and it’s inaugural initiative Two-Way Immersion Network (TWIN).

The TWIN initiative’s goal is to provide an educational opportunity and support system of Catholic Schools to build a research-based two way immersion model that delivers academic excellence to culturally linguistically diverse students.

How Can Schools Increase Their Enrollment Utilizing Grass Roots Marketing?

Is your school struggling to increase enrollment? If so, you’re not alone. In our challenging economy, it’s getting harder and harder for families to afford a Catholic education. As well, it’s getting harder and harder for Catholic schools to maintain enrollment and increase their endowment. As a result, the number of Catholic school students has decreased substantially since the 1960s, when enrollment was at its peak.

Lots have changed in last fifty years, and Dom Pilato of the MAX LA Team (Marketing Archdiocesan eXcellence in Los Angeles), thinks it’s time that Catholic schools changed the way they market themselves as well.

NCEA 2013: Catholic AND Excellent

On Wednesday, April 3, NCEA 2013 attendees explored the Common Core Catholic Identity Initiative in which schools can design and direct the implementation of the Common Core standards within the culture and context of a Catholic school.

By collaborating with catholic school teachers, curriculum experts, catechetical experts, and principals since 2012, the CCII Project has been able to further develop and disseminate frameworks, guidelines, resources, and professional development that assists Catholic school educators in integrating Catholic values, beliefs, and principles of social teaching into all subjects using the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) beginning with K-8 English Language Arts (ELA).

NCEA 2013 Wednesday's Morning Liturgy

On Wednesday, April 3, NCEA 2013 morning liturgy was lead by The Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich, Bishop of Spokane and President of the NCEA Board. Beautiful music provided by the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston, Catholic Schools Choir.

Opening Eucharist Liturgy with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo

On Tuesday, April 2 Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the Archbishop of Galveston lead NCEA attendees in a morning Eucharistic Liturgy.

Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti Receives Pope John Paul II Seminary Leadership Award #NCEA2013

The Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti, clinical associate professor of pastoral studies and director of the doctor of ministry program in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America, received the 2013 Pope John Paul II Seminary Leadership Award at the NCEA President's Dinner.

We sat down to speak with Msgr. Rosetti about the merits of a healthy seminary and its impact on the future of catholic leadership.

St. Francis de Sales School of Houston Wins Catherine T McNamee, CSJ Award #NCEA2013

The Catherine T. McNamee, CSJ Award is awarded to a school that has demonstrated leadership in promoting a vision of Catholic education that welcomes and serves cultural and economic diversity and enhances services of students with special needs. This year, NCEA awarded the honor to St. Francis de Sales School of Houston. Accepting the award on the school's behalf was Dianne Wooteen, St. Francis de Sales' principal.

We had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Wooten to learn what the award means to her and how St. Francis de Sales embodies the spirit of the award. <

Sam Rosen Celebrates 43rd Consecutive NCEA Conference #NCEA2013

When NCEA 2013 gets underway, one attendee will particularly celebrated. Sam Rosen, executive vice president at Three W International, is attending his 43rd consecutive NCEA annual convention this year. Through his work, Mr. Rosen has helped Catholic schools improve enrollment, increase schools' financial stability and improve cultural diversity.

We sat down to talk with Mr. Rosen about Three W and its impact on the future of Catholic education.

Suzanne Bordenaro Receives Leonard F. DeFiore Parental Choice Award #NCEA2013

At the annual convention of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), several educators received awards for outstanding performance or support of Catholic Education. Among them was Suzanne Bordenaro, a consultant for legislative action of the Archdiocese of Chicago, who received the Leonard F. DeFiore Parental Choice Award. The award honors outstanding leadership in promoting full and fair parental choice in education.

Ms. Bordenaro sat down with us to talk about her passion for parent choice and how she and her coalition is working to advance parental choice.