November 23, 2013
On the final day of the Huether Lasallian Conference in New Orleans, LA, Lasallians wrapped up the weekend with prayer, one final set of breakout sessions, and an inspiring general session speaker.
Lasallian teachers led morning prayer, which included teachers finishing the sentence “Being a Lasallian teacher means…” with answers like “taking time to form relationships with colleagues and students” and “being present to all of our students under our care, especially those who challenge us.”
Following prayer, participants attended the final round of breakout sessions on a variety of themes that focused on modern teaching and evaluation tools, the Lasallian culture, and facing challenges found in institutions.
“This conference has really called us to balance the spiritual with the pedagogy of teaching and how we go about that and what that means for each of us and each of our individual works,” said Brother Christopher Patiño from San Miguel High School in Tucson, AZ.
The final session of the day featured an address by Brother Robert Bimonte, FSC, president of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA), entitled “Relationship: The Heart of Education.” It challenged participants to draw on their own experiences to learn ways to build strong relationships with students and create a positive classroom climate.
“He took us through a part of ourselves that made us think, now I can understand that the children also have a lot of things that make them who they are, what we bring to our classrooms, and what we bring to each person,” said Marianne Sheehan, retired teacher of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, NY.
The conference will conclude with Mass at the Cathedral – Basilica of Saint Louis King of France, in New Orleans, LA, and the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Awards Banquet this evening at Christian Brothers School.
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