President’s Message

Message from the President, 12/08/08

Dear Ursuline Family,

This past Friday and Saturday, Ursuline Academy had the honor of hosting a biennial conference of Ursuline educators. Participants represented four countries and eleven states as we engaged one another relative to the conference theme of Leadership-Legacy-Loyalty. Our keynote speaker, Br. John Casey, CFC, helped us to reflect on the happenings of grace that are (1) served by our leadership in Ursuline schools, (2) a legacy for each of us and (3) the opportunities for loyalty to the traditions of St. Angela Merici and the Ursuline community. Br. John’s keynote provided great information to help participants engage in conversations regarding concerns we have for Ursuline mission and identity, as well as strengths of our schools in the area of Ursuline mission and identity. Sr. Carolyn Marie Brockland, OSU, prioress of the Ursuline Sisters of New Orleans, led a session entitled -Grit and Grace- where she spoke to the many traditions of Ursuline of New Orleans in keeping with our theme.

With the historical context set, participants chose Ursuline Educators’ Fair sessions to attend, where a wide range of topics were presented, including International Baccalaureate Program, Mentoring New Teachers the Angela Way, ‘Teacher Tube’ for Education and Communication, Alternative Assessments for Evaluating the Whole Person, Implementing Technology to Improve Class Interaction and Information Retention, The Creative Kindergarten Classroom, Student Stewardship, Profile of the Ursuline Graduate, Lower School Learning, Ursuline Identity, Using Hands-On Learning and Technology to Teach Science, Counseling Curriculum, Genuine Faith Experience in a Global Society and Teacher Evaluation in an Ursuline Context. Guests were also treated to a tour of the campus by several of our incredible high school students, as well as a student performance by our Seventh Grade Hand Bell Choir, our Middle School Recorder Consort and our combined High School Choir. The conference concluded with participants creating their images of the world of the 2020 learner, keeping in mind the changing contexts of the world, the Church, U.S. society and education.

I want to thank all of the members of the Ursuline Academy family whose contributions made this conference a huge success.
– The UEC Planning Committee: Kathie Blash, Cara D’Antoni, John Gabriel, Mary Lee Harris, Jessica Huston, Karen Mortillaro and Kim Shankle
– The Prayer Service committee: Shannon del Corral, Sarah Druen, Betsy Falk, Karen Jakiela, Patty Mathes, Mallory McCloskey, Marian McLellan and Kathy Schafer
– Educators’ Fair presenters: Belinda Baker, Jill Brown, Brian Cordes, Nicole Fuller, John Gardner, John Gabriel, Barbara Holstein, Jessica Huston, David Kemp, Karen Mortillaro, Kim Shankle and Eve Vignes
– Student Guided Tours: Coordinator – Dody Nolan, and Students – Leah Alday, Shailyn Croom, Lydia Davies, Rachelle Drygalla, Julia Elbaum, Hannah Gudan, Hailey Kline, Grace Lamy, Anna Landry, Gretchen Liljeberg, Erika Montelaro, Amanda Moser, Claire Oswald, Alex Powajbo, Jalan Richardson, Jo Ripoll, Maddie Skinner, Rachel Songy, Olivia Strickland and Sara Stuckey

- Student Performance Coordinators: Shannon del Corral and David Kemp

- Ursuline Schools of the Future PowerPoint: Brian Cordes
– Discussion Facilitation: Mary AnteÈ, Belinda Baker, Brian Cordes, Cara D’Antoni, Karen Davis, Sarah Druen, Nicole Fuller, John Gabriel, JP Garnier, Kitty Graf, Mary Lee Harris, Jessica Huston, Deirdre Macnamara, Patty Mathes, Karen McAcy, Judy Mollere, Celia Nougues, Dody Nolan, Erin Plauche, Kim Shankle and Susan Young
– Technology Coordination: JP Garnier
– Café au lait and Beignets Donation: Scott and Nicole Escarra
– Limousine Transportation Donation for our out of town guests: Todd Marcel

As partners in the rich tradition of Ursuline education, we are blessed to be able to contact young women at critical moments in their development as we help them explore their experiences in an environment where Catholic values are understood and experienced. We are all grateful to have the opportunity provided by the Ursuline Education Services to collaborate and share ideas with one another.

Yours in Christ,
Gretchen Zibilich Kane

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