Widening the Definition of Good Teaching
“How can I best ingrain a particular lesson in the
minds of my students? What exercise, what reading, or
what educational approach will give them the deepest
understanding of the topic at hand?”
These are questions educators face at any point of
professional reflection.
While these considerations are indeed important, we
as Catholic educators must focus on more than simply
the depth of our students’ understanding. In keeping
with our AOPS commitment to educating the whole
person, we must also focus on breadth.
GET PARENTS INVOLVED
IN YOUR CLASSROOM
4 Teachers Share Their Tips and Tricks
Parent involvement can play a major role in your students’ success. By building rapport
with parents to create an academic partnership, you can cultivate a rich learning
environment where you, your students, and parents all benefit.
We asked AOPS teachers how they like to build parent involvement in the classroom.
Here are six of their top tips and tricks:
“Where can I bring my students to make this environmental
lesson real for them?”
“What will it mean for these children if I can get their parents
involved in the classroom?”
“How can faith help guide the way my students regard their
daily responsibilities?”
In this season’s Ignite, we speak to AOPS educators who have
incorporated inventive ideas into their curricula to broaden
their students’ frames of mind. Whether it’s an immersive
type of field trip, a rethinking of the importance of athletics,
or a flexible approach to classroom seating, these teachers
have found ways to develop the whole person — without a
drastic shift in lesson plans.
Please join me in celebrating these examples of truly out-
of-the-box thinking… then consider how you can adjust
your own educational approach to deepen and broaden your
students’ academic, spiritual, and emotional experiences.
Peace and all good things,
Christopher Mominey
Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for Catholic Education
Bring Progress Reports to Life Invite Surprise Guests Find Parent Helpers
“I give parents a two-page narrative
about their child, highlighting all
the student’s social strengths.
I break down each academic
area, including how students are
progressing in each topic and what
they can work on at home.” “At the beginning of the year,
teachers read the book ‘The Relatives
Came’ — meanwhile, students’ actual
relatives secretly gather outside the
room. It’s a magical moment when
the book ends and parents surprise
the students.” “Two or three times a week, a
Parent Helper works with individual
students to see how many math or
reading flashcards the student can
complete in five minutes. Students
gain practice, and I can see where
they need extra help.”
Kelly Phelan
First grade teacher
Sacred Heart School, Havertown Cindy Sullivan
Kindergarten teacher
Saint Andrew School, Newtown Courtney Thresher
Third grade teacher
Saint Patrick School, Malvern
Make Newsletters More Engaging Organize a Writers’ Tea Celebrate Parents’ Skills
“On my weekly newsletter, I include
a new color, letter, or shape for
parents and students to identify in
their homes. Parents tell me that
their whole family will hunt for items
and select a few to share in class the
following day.” “At this event, students share all their
writings from the year with parents
and family. The kids get to choose a
favorite piece to read to the entire
audience, and parents can see how
writing abilities have progressed.” “Our Celebrity Visitors are family
members who come in to explain
a job or hobby. We’ve had nurses,
firemen, and guitar-playing
granddads — as well as those who
just want to share how to decorate
cookies.”
Patricia Kensey
Pre-K teacher
Saint Hilary of Poitiers School, Rydal
Kelly Phelan
Patricia Kensey
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