Teachers taught at conference

By MAUREEN McGUINNESS

Staff Writer

Nearly 800 teachers and administrators from Catholic schools were on hand for the annual Albany diocesan Teacher's Conference held recently at the State University of New York at Albany. This year's theme was "Honoring Our Roots, Embracing Our Future."

Participants were able to chose from 18 workshops including a sharing session. The keynote address was given by Joseph McTighe, executive director for the Council for American Private Education.

"Joe McTighe was inspiring," said Thomas Fitzgerald, assistant superintendent for administrative services in the diocesan Catholic School Office. "He helped teachers focus themselves as Catholic school teachers."

Another positive aspect of the conference, he said, was the networking teachers were able to do through workshops. They picked up ideas for their classrooms, whether it be something to make or a way of approaching a certain lesson.

Participants were struck by different aspects of the conference.

Mary Ann McConnell, a teacher at Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush, agreed with Dr. Fitzgerald on the benefits of meeting with colleagues.

"It's nice to get together with everyone from the Diocese," she said. "I was able to meet with other kindergarten teachers. We shared ideas." She was also pleased with the workshop on computers where "I learned a lot about the internet."

Donna Palczak, a teacher at St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam, enjoyed a session titled "Preparing for the Impact of the Regents Learning Standards on Instruction and Assessment," given by a representative of the State Education Department.

"It was excellent," Mrs. Palczak said. "She knew what she was talking about. She provided all of the guidelines."

For Christopher Smith, a first-year teacher at St. Patrick's Parish School in Catskill, the emphasis placed on the Catholicity of the schools was important.

"I enjoyed the keynote because of its emphasis on prayer," he told The Evangelist. "We're grounded in faith. We can always be certain with Christ."

The junior high social studies and religion teacher went on to talk about the importance of prayer and being centered on the Gospel message. In his view, all Catholic school teachers should be aware of the importance of faith in the classroom.

Teachers are not the only ones who were pleased with the conference. The 61 vendors who had booths at the conference enjoyed the opportunity to meet with teachers and administrators.

Ken Powers of Kingston, for example, who represents five companies, including a publisher and a map company, was delighted with the opportunity to meet with teachers in this setting.

Mr. Powers described the teachers of the Diocese as being "very friendly. They seem anxious to find out what's new, different and available."

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