Workshops
OECTA - Join us for OECTA’s Launch of the Anti-Black Racism AQ Course
All
All are welcome to join us for a compelling presentation that introduces OECTA’s new Anti-Black Racism course, aimed at fostering inclusive, respectful classrooms rooted in the Catholic values of dignity and equality. This presentation offers practical tools to ensure every student can thrive, emphasizing unity, fairness, and the moral duty to uphold justice. Let us actively seek pathways to justice and support for our Black members by facing truth and working towards allyship. As Catholics, we are called to support all learners and educators in building stronger, more compassionate communities.
Anthony Carabache
Other
Meeting Room: Montreal A/B
A1 - CARFLEO: A Catholic Educator's BFF
ALL
CARFLEO (Catholic Association of Religion and Family Life Educators of Ontario) is a subject association that offers a variety of supports on your journey as a Catholic educator in Ontario. Familiarize yourself with resources and get to know more about faith formation opportunities for you and your students while learning how to use our website to its full potential. Join us as we share all that CARFLEO has to offer.
Mike Gundert, TBD
WFMP Presenter
Meeting Room: Toronto B
A2 - Consent Culture Through a Catholic Lens
Secondary
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things - Galatians 5:22-23. Catholic educators are no strangers to complex questions of human sexuality and its essential role in the dignity of the human person. How do we preserve an authentically Catholic voice within conversations about consent, culture, #metoo, and so on? This presentation will discuss some of the character education programming related to consent and undertaken in a single-sex, independent, Catholic school. The hope is to broaden the discussion to include voices from many Catholic schools, both publicly-funded and independent.
John Connelly
St Michael`s College School
Meeting Room: Paris
A3 - The Power of Reframing to Build Relationships
All
The theme of this year’s conference speaks to me in that we, as Catholics, are pilgrims embodying hope. The word pilgrim can be defined as people of a purposeful journey. I’m reminded of the important role hope plays in my life, on my journey and in my servant leadership. We are a hopeful people. Many of us encounter, are bombarded by, and confronted with messages, of conflict, polarization, and despair. Yet, while on our own journey, with the help of our faith, we remain hopeful of God’s promise in our hearts. His teachings espouse hope. The practice of Shanker Self-Reg® aligns very well with our Catholic faith. I see it as a powerful way to help us look more hopefully at others with soft eyes and Reframe behaviour more so as a stress response than conscious ill-intended choice. As for me, turning to my faith, and trusting in God’s plan is also Reflective, and ultimately Restorative. For these reasons, I thought I would like to present The Power of Reframing: Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation® through a Catholic Lens. There would be an emphasis on Relationship building between administrators, educators, students, students’ families, and the broader community.
Joe Persia
Brant Haldimand Norfolk CDSB
Meeting Room: Mississauga C
A4 - Christian 'Medication' as Prescribed by the Divine Physician
All
Christian 'Medication' as Prescribed by the Divine Physician" explores the many benefits of Christian Meditation. With much success, Christian Meditation has been broadly introduced to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board community through a variety of initiatives led by its Leadership Team since 2014. Wondering if you are an 'ideal patient' for this prayer form, also known as the Prayer of the Heart? Come and learn how to incorporate Christian Meditation into your own personal prayer life and the many ways to share this prayer form and it's benefits with staff, students and your school community. 'Ingredients' include stillness, silence and simplicity. 'Side Effects' may cause peace and tranquility. 'Warning' may cause you to feel love, joy, peace, self-control, fidelity, kindness, gentleness, and goodness. 'Caution' can be addictive and contagious.
Carmelina Biundo
Hamilton-Wentworth CDSB
Meeting Room: Halton
A5 - Nurturing Faith in Action: Integrating Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations in Kindergarten
K
"Nurturing Faith in Action" is designed to empower educators with practical strategies to seamlessly integrate the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations (OCGE) into the dynamic landscape of early childhood education. Participants will delve into the foundational pillars of the Ontario Catholic Education Expectations, discovering how they intersect with the Kindergarten program's 4-frames approach. By the workshop's end, educators will emerge equipped with innovative approaches to enrich their Kindergarten classrooms with the transformative power of Catholic education. Together, we'll embark on a journey where faith becomes a lived reality for our youngest learners, fostering excellence and inspiring hope.
Stephanie Shore, Amy Ritz
Huron-Perth CDSB
Meeting Room: Montreal A
A6 - The Interconnectedness of Things: Theological Foundations for Catholic Family Life Teaching
Elementary Teachers, Secondary Teachers of RE, Chaplaincy Leaders, Religion and Family Life Coordina
With the launch of the new Family LIfe Education Curriculum in grades 1 - 8, we have a renewed focus on Family Life teaching in Catholic schools. Where does our teaching come from? Is the Catechism the only resource used? On what other sources do we draw? Weaving the threads between Scripture, prayer, and Sacrament, and looking to what it means to be human from a Catholic perspective, this workshop helps us to see the beauty and the interconnectedness of things in Catholic theology.
Anne Jamieson
Institute for Catholic Education
Meeting Room: Toronto A
A7 - Determined Hope: Holy Influencers Building a Common Future
All
Determined hope is an intentional response based on the Paschal Mystery and, in light of everything happening around us, to make our world a better place. It is the result of a courageous decision to define and live one’s life with hope and possibility and always on the lookout for the hidden potential in others.
John Schneider
Waterloo CDSB
Meeting Room: Montreal B
A8 - SPLICE Projects: Students as Protagonists of Learning
Elementary
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to SPLICE Projects; a learning opportunity that is anchored in the design thinking process and that celebrates students’ God-given gifts as a means to serve others and the common good. Participants will have the opportunity to work through each stage of the SPLICE Project process (from the launch, to the project proposals, to the final reflections). In addition, participants will be provided with concrete examples and documentation of student projects to demonstrate how this unique learning opportunity can be applied within practice.
Brad Blucher, Marisa Benakis
York CDSB
Meeting Room: Terrace
A9 - Inspiring Hope, Joy and Engagement by Teaching Digitally Through a Catholic Lens
Grades Kindergarten-8
New to using Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ? Teaching a new grade? Missed an in-service? Need a refresher? Maximize your ability and confidence as a 21st Century Catholic Educator to use the rich digital resources embedded in the Growing in Faith Growing in Christ program. This workshop will engage educators in a review of all the components of the Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ digital platform. A guided inquiry into what is exciting about the Student, Home and Parish digital resources will lead educators into a deeper encounter with the digital components of the Teacher Resource. By developing their ability use the program’s technology, educators will inspire hope, joy and engagement in their classroom faith community. Optional: For a hands-on, interactive workshop, you are welcome to bring a device that can access the Growing in Faith digital platform.
Terri Durham
Other
Meeting Room: Ottawa
A10 - Nurturing Cultural Understanding Through Integrated Learning within the Primary Division
K-3 teachers
This presentation underscores the importance of integrating Indigenous connections and cultural awareness to nurture hope and build bridges of understanding among Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. By embracing interdisciplinary approaches that combine Mathematics, Language, Science, and the Arts, students will be engaged in exploring educational experiences that foster empathy, respect, and cultural appreciation.
Maxine Highet, Shannon Ulgiati
York CDSB
Meeting Room: Hamilton
A11 - Nurturing and Promoting Faith Formation of Staff in our Schools
All
In this engaging and mission critical topic, participants will listen to and discuss our theme on accompaniment for Adult Faith Formation! We embark on a journey to explore the profound role of accompaniment in nurturing and deepening adult faith. Are there ways that a staff in a school can spend time together promoting adult faith formation for all? The need for Faith Formation for Catholic teachers is an ever-present reality. We know that our faith has a lasting and sometimes changing effect on us. In this session, we'll delve into the essence of accompaniment as a relational process that fosters spiritual growth and community. Together, we'll uncover strategies and practices for effectively accompanying adults in their faith journeys, recognizing the unique needs and experiences that shape each individual's path. Whether you're a seasoned Teacher, a Faith Animator or simply curious about supporting the faith development of staff at your school, this workshop will provide you with some creative tools and ideas to engage authentically and compassionately with those seeking to deepen their faith. Let's embark on this enriching exploration of accompaniment and its transformative impact on Adult Faith Formation!
Trevor Klein, Brian Halford
Wellington CDSB
Meeting Room: New York
A12 - A Cross-Curricular Catholic Engineering Design Process
All: Grades 1-10, cross-curricular
As part of a CCC writing project, we developed a Catholic Engineering Design Process (CEDP) and associated classroom activities that can be used in a wide variety of subject areas and grades, including elementary Science and Technology and Secondary Science, Technological Education, and Religion. Participants will be introduced to how Catholic Graduate Expectations and the lived values of our Faith can be integrated into the design of a variety of projects and activities in our classrooms.
Steven Floyd, Jessica Gasparotto
CCC
Meeting Room: Windsor
A13 - Literacy Includes Phonics - But So Much More!
Grades 3-8 classroom teachers, instructional coaches, principals, consultants, superintendents
There has been an increased emphasis on teaching phonics in our literacy instruction. A comprehensive approach to literacy recognizes that instruction must focus on word-reading skills, but also oral language development, vocabulary, knowledge development, comprehension and writing. This workshop will connect the dots between research, reading and writing. This workshop will provide practical classroom strategies to answer the following questions: What does phonics instruction look like after primary grades? Why is syllabication instruction essential for helping students to decode and encode multi- syllabic words? How do I instruct for decoding multisyllabic words? Why is content knowledge an essential part of literacy instruction? How do I select and teach Tier 1 and Tier 2 vocabulary words? How do I develop fluent readers? What is the role of spelling and language conventions? Why explicit writing instruction is an essential part of literacy instruction?
Jennette MacKenzie
WFMP Presenter
Meeting Room: Peel
A14 - Who Me… A Leader? CPCO's PQP
All
Learn about the only Principals’ Qualification Program founded in Catholicity and meet PQP instructors and central CPCO staff. Gain insight into why CPCO’s PQP is relevant and candidate-focused, thoroughly preparing new Principals and Vice-Principals for the realities, joys and challenges of the job.
Jan Murphy, Sandra Donoghue Dan Trainor, Kathryn Hadden
CPCO
Meeting Room: Aurora
A15 - Mathematics in Religious Education
Elementary-Junior/Intermediate
Students have an incredible opportunity to be immersed in the beauty of Mathematics as a gift from God. Mathematics is an instrument through which we can know and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. It is a method and mindset that ignites a joy in exploring and experiencing numbers, patterns, shapes and relationships in the examined and unexamined world. We learn mathematics in community and our classrooms are where students encounter Christ and experience God’s infinite wisdom in our schools. We can come to appreciate the world at large when we delve into mathematics and this workshop is rooted in understanding the learning of math as an experience of our Catholic faith.
Andrea Turchet, Patricia Dalben
Halton CDSB
Meeting Room: London
A16 - Religion through Drama and Religion through the Arts Part II
Secondary
In the first iteration of this workshop, we were at the beginning of a pilot and journey. We presented on the beginning of our efforts to transform the grade 10 de-streamed religion course (HRE2) through the art of drama. This time we are coming back with tried, tested and true lessons and activities for the secondary religious education class with drama as the method of delivery and we are outlining a second program in our board that teaches grade 10 religion through the arts more broadly. Just as the religion through drama course works to engage students in fresh and impactful ways, the religion through the arts course uses culinary, visual, dramatic, media arts and music to highlight important aspects of the Catholic faith, play to the strengths and interests of a broad spectrum of students and bring our rich artistic culture to bear in the classroom.
Natalie Vander Burgt, Miranda Walsh
Halton CDSB
Meeting Room: Mississauga B
A17 - Blessed & Beloved: Exploring the New Family Life Education Program
Elementary Teachers, Religion and Family Life Coordinators
Blessed & Beloved is the RCL Benziger program for Family Life Education that was developed in partnership with the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario. This workshop introduces the structure and key features of the new Family Life Education program. Participants will explore the program's goals and approaches for helping students to acknowledge and celebrate that they and their families are a gift from God. This session will offer practical suggestions for implementing the program as well as creative ideas to tailor it to meet the needs of learners. Attendees will be equipped with resources and ideas to confidently teach the core message of Family Life Education: Every person is blessed and beloved!
Amy McEntee
Other
Meeting Room: Mississauga A
B1 - Diving Into Deep Learning
K-8 Staff
Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your student's educational journey. Join us as we delve into the future of learning using Fullan’s “Deep Learning” model, where creativity, connection, and collaboration reign supreme, all while aligning the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectation. We look forward to sharing our journey and how you too might dive into Deep Learning!
Leslie Boerkamp, Megan Fry
Bruce Grey CDSB
Meeting Room: Peel
B2 - Experiential Learning in the Religion Classroom
K-8 Educators
Transforming the religion classroom into an experiential learning environment holds immense potential for enriching students' religious education and spiritual growth. This workshop aims to provide educators with practical strategies and examples to transform their religion classrooms into dynamic experiential learning environments. Through interactive sessions, participants will explore innovative teaching methods, experiential activities, and reflective practices that deepen students' understanding and connection to religious concepts and traditions. By the end of the workshop, educators will leave equipped with actionable insights to enhance their teaching practices and foster meaningful learning experiences in their religion classroom.
Nicole Billington, Mary Steffen
Bruce Grey CDSB
Meeting Room: Halton
B3 - Developing Dazzling and Devout Digital Learning with D2L
Gr 1 - 8 teachers
In this session, we’ll explore how D2L can empower elementary educators to craft inclusive, interactive and faith-filled learning experiences for students. Let’s dive into the world of D2L and discover how it can enhance education in delightful ways!
Tom Dow
Durham CDSB
Meeting Room: Hamilton
B4 - Meeting Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations through daily Grej of the Day
Elementary
This presentation will demonstrate the concept developed by Micke Hermansson from Sweden, called, “Grej of the Day” which means, “one thing every day.” It strongly supports the development of background knowledge in students through daily exposure of ‘one thing’, whether it is places, people, animals, food, inventions, etc., around the world. I have developed my own curriculum based on Hermansson’s work, including Canadian and Catholic content. Studies have shown that background knowledge plays an enormous role in reading comprehension (Hirsch, 2003). It further supports our students as Catholic learners in that the most important component of the program is sharing with caregivers each day after school, (I email parents each morning with the topic so that they know what their child will be talking about!), thus developing each child as an effective communicator who speaks and listens honestly and sensitively, responding critically in light of gospel values.
Christa Ducharme
Huron-Perth CDSB
Meeting Room: Montreal A
B5 - Creating Student Led Faith Formation in Your School and Actively Engaging students in Religion Classes
Grade 4-8 Teachers, Faith Formation leaders
This workshop will focus on ways in which educators can bring student-led faith formation to an entire school community. It will focus on ways to engage students in being Faith Leaders in their school. This workshop will also focus on ways to create engaging Religion lessons based on GIFGIC and how these lessons can lead to a deeper connection and understanding of scripture. We will explore whole school prayer walks, Lenten faith formation based on the Religious history of "The Pretzel" and connect that to the temptation of Jesus, and how to create a Catholic Museum in your school community. This workshop is presented in a collaborative way, where educators will be able to share ideas with one another, and all attendees will leave with new ideas on how to incorporate deeper student engagement and faith into their classrooms and into their whole school community.
Rachel Cha
Niagara CDSB
Meeting Room: Mississauga A
B6 - Lesson Plans for Global Solidarity
Catholic Educators
Development and Peace - Caritas Canada, the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada, has many engaging resources to get students thinking critically about poverty and justice. Learn how to access lesson plans, liturgies, and group activities to get students engaged in Global Solidarity through the lens of our Faith.
Luke Stocking, Gabe Febbraro
Other
Meeting Room: Toronto B
B7 - Building Inclusive Learning Environments and Cultivating Joy
Junior, Intermediate, Secondary
This session is designed to empower educators by enhancing their proficiency in culturally relevant and responsive instructional practices, informed through a Catholic lens. While making connections to Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's texts, Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy, participants will delve into available resources, leveraging frameworks and tools to foster engagement and center student identity within the classroom. The session will also provide an opportunity for reflection on the interrelatedness of the principles of equity and inclusion and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and will explore how these principles guide us to create inclusive Catholic school communities where all are welcome.
Robert Cannone, Nancy Davie
York CDSB
Meeting Room: Toronto A
B8 - Cultivating Hope through Inclusion: UDL and Collaboration
Elementary / Admin
As Pilgrims of Hope we are called to create inclusive environments where each student is valued and challenged. Through the lens of building relationships of love, peace and solidarity we will explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and how to reflect upon and adapt teaching methods that honour each unique learner. We will explore strategies for collaborating effectively with colleagues to ensure that educators and learners alike feel supported and valued. Leave equipped with a renewed sense of hope along with practical strategies and a more mindful understanding of how and why to foster inclusion in your educational environment.
Corey Tassone, Megan Bacchus
Wellington CDSB
Meeting Room: Windsor
B9 - Celebrating the Jubilee Year Through All the Liturgical Seasons
ALL: Elementary and secondary educators; central board staff
In light of Pope Francis’ calling of a Jubilee Year in 2025, this workshop will provide: - an orientation to the history and traditions of the Jubilee Year; - ideas about how to integrate themes and symbols of the Jubilee in classrooms throughout the entire liturgical year; - resources to support classroom prayer and celebration; - suggestions about how to strengthen the home-school-parish relationship during the Jubilee Year This workshop will also be particularly useful in preparing for Catholic Education Week 2025, which has chosen the Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” as its central message.
Murray Watson
Simcoe Muskoka CDSB
Meeting Room: Mississauga C
B11 - Practical Ways to Pray in the Classroom Grades 7-12
Grade 7-12 Catholic Studies Teachers
The presentation will be for grade 7-12 educators and will be focused on practical ways to pray within the classroom. I will be giving specific examples of a variety of forms of prayer as well as how to teach these ways to pray in the classroom. Some examples include: Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, the Examen, how to teach students to compose a prayer, pray as you go (app), teaching the Our Father through drama, and prayer journals.
Kristopher Roehler
Windsor-Essex CDSB
Meeting Room: Mississauga B
B12 - Celebrating Newcomers through Arts Integration
K-12
This workshop will engage participants in exploring how to create a culturally responsive environment that honours and celebrates the voices of newcomers. Through the lens of our Catholic faith and an arts integration approach, participants will examine student artifacts, engage in professional dialogue, and explore hands-on activities that focus on the whole child and faith development.
Ana Rita Santos-Furtado, Bruno Pileggi
Toronto CDSB
Meeting Room: London
B13 - How to Foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Religious Education: Strategies for the Modern Classroom
Secondary School
offers a comprehensive approach to integrating DEI principles into religious teaching. Participants will explore practical strategies for promoting diversity, ensuring equity, and fostering inclusivity within the religious classroom environment. Through interactive discussions, attendees will learn how to navigate sensitive topics, challenge biases, and create a safe space for all students, regardless of background or belief. By the end of the workshop, educators will leave equipped with tangible tools and techniques to effectively infuse DEI values into their religious education curriculum, fostering a more inclusive learning environment.
Daniel Lumsden
St Michael`s College School
Meeting Room: New York
B14 - Inclusive Classrooms: Supporting Culturally Responsive Literacy
K-3
This workshop will focus on how to use culturally responsive and relevant texts to build an understanding of the contributions, lived experiences, and perspectives of diverse Canadian communities, including Black Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. We will explore the three tenets of a culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy, discuss the importance of text choices, and highlight the strategies to apply in order to use texts to create a culturally inclusive and identity-affirming learning environment, where students recognize the value of their own culture and the culture of others. The workshop will also explore how texts and extension activities can support the teaching of transferable skills and the Ontario School Catholic Graduate Expectations. This workshop is facilitated by Rubicon, a Savvas Company.
Gina Marion, Karen Murray
Other
Meeting Room: Paris
B15 - Fostering Community, Engagement, and Interactivity in Catholic Online Courses
Intermediate / Senior Teachers and Administrators
Some people claim that community simply cannot be fostered in the online environment. At Catholic Virtual Ontario (CVO), we challenge that notion every day. Come and learn about the over 100 online courses that have been created for use in Catholic school boards, plus our many virtual resources that can be used to augment your teaching practice. These courses, chock full of interactive elements, scintillating discussion topics, and assessments that prepare students for the real world, will introduce you to a whole new way to foster Catholic community!
Rose Burton Spohn, Jeff Maxwell
Other
Meeting Room: Montreal B
B16 - Vocational Discernment: Applying a Catholic Lens to the Guidance, Transitions & Career Planning program.
Elementary and Secondary
Catholic Guidance Teacher-Counsellors will focus on integrating Catholic identity into the guidance. Transitions & Career Planning Program by nurturing the spiritual formation of students while supporting their academic and career goals through a Catholic lens. Focus will be on: exploration of how to align career planning with the spiritual and moral growth of students, aiming to uncover the deepest desires planted by God in their hearts; exploration of newly developed Catholic resources that promote spiritual, moral, and emotional growth in students; exploration of experiential learning activities that offer students additional opportunities for spiritual formation and vocational discernment.
Lisa Fracassi, Tania Carducci
CCC
Meeting Room: Ottawa
C1 - Teaching Hope: Exploring Matthew 25 Through The Lens Of Social Justice Issues
Grades 7 - 12
Using Catholic Social Teachings as a framework and Matthew 25 as a guide, this hands-on workshop will provide dynamic, content rich, cross-curricular teaching strategies for a variety of courses 7 through 12. The focus on social justice will push participants to think critically and ask questions about the type of world they live in and the type of world they hope for - and would like a hand in creating. In particular, teachers of 7 - 12 courses such as religion and social studies would especially benefit from this workshop, since it would align with the grade 7 & 8 Growing in Faith & Growing in Christ social justice emphasis on Solidarity, Caring for People Who Are Poor and Vulnerable, Community and the Common Good, Participation in Society and Rights and Responsibilities. As well, this workshop would be a good fit for teachers of grade 9 - 12 high school religion classes as it connects to the social justice and moral development curriculum strands in the ICE education policy document.
Maureen Bourke, Catherine Carnegie
Ottawa CSB
Meeting Room: Mississauga A
C3 - Cooking with your Class
Elementary
How to introduce, implement and run successful cooking sessions with elementary students hitting several curriculum expectations (math, literacy, science, health, religion, art). The ""Cooking with Kids"" workshop is designed to inspire teachers at Catholic schools to integrate culinary activities into their curriculum, fostering holistic learning experiences that encompass various subjects and life skills. This interactive workshop will showcase practical strategies for implementing cooking projects regardless of kitchen size or budget constraints, emphasizing the educational and developmental benefits for students of all ages. **Curriculum Expectations Covered:** 1. **Religion:** Exploring cultural and religious traditions related to food, fostering gratitude and mindfulness during meal preparation and sharing. 2. **Math:** Applying math skills such as measurements, fractions, and proportions in recipes, understanding conversions and budgeting for ingredients. 3. **Literacy:** Enhancing reading and comprehension through recipe analysis, writing food-related stories or essays, and vocabulary expansion. 4. **Health:** Promoting healthy eating habits, nutritional awareness, and food safety practices during cooking activities. 5. **Science:** Investigating chemical reactions in cooking, understanding food science principles like emulsification, fermentation, and heat transfer. 6. **Social Studies:** Connecting with diverse cultures through culinary exploration, learning about food traditions and customs from around the world. **Social Skills and Life Skills:** 1. **Teamwork:** Collaborative cooking projects encourage teamwork, communication, and cooperation among students. 2. **Problem-solving:** Overcoming challenges in the kitchen fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 3. **Time Management:** Planning and executing recipes teach time management and organization. 4. **Creativity:** Encouraging creativity in recipe develo
Monique Trevale
Bruce Grey CDSB
Meeting Room: Toronto A
C4 - Bringing the Liturgical Season Alive in the Classroom
Primary/Junior and Junior/Intermediate, Grades 1-8
Bringing the liturgical season alive in your classroom is more than just a lesson plan—it's an opportunity to ignite the flames of faith in your students. By creating engaging and hands-on experiences that immerse students in the richness of Catholic traditions, educators can evangelize and deepen their understanding of the faith. Consider integrating interactive activities such as creating Christmas tree ornaments through the teachings of St. Boniface, creating Resurrection Gardens during the Lenten season, or celebrating the month of Mary through personalized gardens and discussions. These experiences not only educate but also foster a personal connection to the liturgical calendar. By engaging with Church teaching in a tangible way, students can grow in their relationship with God and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
Janice Thurston-Goodwin, Sarah Crockford
Durham CDSB
Meeting Room: Plaza C
C5 - Champions of Faith: Empowering educators to host a Catholic system event to qualify for Skills Ontario.
Grade 7 & 8
You're invited to a special workshop aimed at organizing a Catholic team event to select representatives from your school board for the Skills Ontario competition in Toronto. Skills Ontario provides a unique platform where students can showcase their talents in technology, trades, and STEM fields while embodying Catholic values. This workshop will explore the significance of Skills Ontario participation within a Catholic context, emphasizing the integration of faith-based principles into the selection process. We'll discuss event logistics, including participant selection, competition categories, and scheduling, while infusing Catholic teachings on excellence, service, and community. Strategies for promoting the event and engaging students will be shared, focusing on fostering a culture of collaboration, leadership, and faith-driven excellence. By hosting this event, we aim to cultivate not only skilled competitors but also ambassadors of Catholic values in the skilled trades and technologies.
Nikki Gibson, Jenna Meyers
Huron-Perth CDSB
Meeting Room: Windsor
C6 - The Thinking Classroom for Secondary Religious Education
Grades 9-12
In a secondary religious education classroom, the tension between the secular world and our Catholic faith can lead to difficult and sometimes challenging dialogue with our students. For students to better comprehend Catholic teaching about various concepts, sufficient groundwork should be provided to help them understand fundamental tenets of our faith in a manner which is engaging, informational, and student-driven. With this in mind, this project is based on a loose adaptation of Peter Liljedahl’s The Thinking Classroom for Mathematics, in that the strategies, techniques, and practices derived from his book will be modified to apply to the secondary religious education classroom. This will include the embedding of critical literacy skills, research skills, and numeracy skills. From there, the strategies, techniques, and practices can be utilized for not just other issues in the religion classroom, but can have applications for other secondary courses, such as the humanities and social sciences. Some of the pedagogy presented can assist the educator in presenting potentially highly sensitive topics, such as abortion, medical assistance in dying, and 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion.
Veronica Tuzi, Gabrielle Faion-Kralik
Toronto CDSB
Meeting Room: Mississauga B
C7 - Keeping Faith at the Heart of Catholic Schools: How to ensure our Catholic Identity
Administrators, Leaders
This workshop is designed to provide administrators and leaders with specific ideas and resources they can use to ensure that our unique Catholic identity is prevalent in your school. Our Catholic identity is so much more than hanging a cross in a classroom and having a cross as a part of your school logo. We will discuss social media and websites, faith formation, faith opportunities, intake meetings and more to create a learning environment based on our Catholic values and teachings.
Monique Mastroianni
Niagara CDSB
Meeting Room: New York
C8 - Empowering Language Learning with Picture Books in Junior/Int Classrooms
Junior/Intermediate Teachers
Incorporating picture books into the junior/intermediate curriculum can significantly enhance literacy skills among students. Picture books can act as a springboard to address the curriculum expectations, developing comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. This workshop will focus on the benefits of using picture books in upper grades and suggest strategies for effective implementation. By providing engaging and meaningful literacy experiences, picture books can support students' language development, critical thinking, cultural understanding and strengthen their faith all while fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning. Books will focus on resilience, hope, and social justice issues with an overarching theme highlighting the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations. (OCSGEs)
Laura Masellis, Elizabeth Reiser
Toronto CDSB
Meeting Room: Montreal A
C9 - Cultivating Prayer Practices for Connection and Growth
Intermediate/Senior/Any
Prayer is a gateway to deepen connection with God, self, and others, but many of our learners lack the life experience to create their own meaningful practice. From the contemplative silence of meditation to the heartfelt petitions of intercessory prayer, every prayer form experience calls to each person differently. This session will explore the need to walk with our students, as pilgrims of hope, to build a prayer toolbelt and will provide educators with ideas on how to shape this journey to a culminating experience. Educators will have the opportunity to try out and journal a sample prayer form, the collaborative poster prayer, co-creating a beautiful tapestry of shared spirituality and communal intention. Although designed around the grade 9 curriculum, this experience is one that could be modified to most grade levels.
Mariel Tinney
Wellington CDSB
Meeting Room: Hamilton
C10 - Integrating Religion and the Arts
Secondary
Using the Integrated Regional Arts Program (IRAP) that is unique to our school, we will show how we have integrated the arts into the grade 10 religion curriculum. The grade 10 religion course is a compulsory course in the IRAP program. We will go over ways we have integrated the different art and tech disciplines, focusing on the creative process, vocation of an artist and how religion and the arts complement each other. We will share examples of how the students use the arts to demonstrate their understanding of the course expectations through various artistic expressions. Participants will not only leave the workshop with a better understanding of how we have integrated the arts into the grade 10 religion curriculum, but how they can bring the arts into their own teaching.
Erica Gismondi, Cristina Aguiar
York CDSB
Meeting Room: Ottawa
C11 - Integrating Faith in Secondary Mathematics as we Nurture Pilgrims of Hope
Secondary
This session explores the connections between faith, mathematics, and the natural world, aiming to empower secondary teachers with strategies to integrate spiritual depth into their lessons through universal design. Aligned with the conference theme, “Pilgrims of Hope,” the session will begin with a reflection on hope's role in both mathematics and spirituality. Using scripture passages such as Psalm 19:1-4 and Romans 1:20, we will highlight the divine beauty in mathematical principles and their reflection of creation's order. Central to the presentation is the Ontario Catholic School Graduate expectations framework, focusing on virtues like perseverance, stewardship, and wonder. By aligning curriculum concepts with these virtues, educators can foster a classroom environment rooted in faith and compassion. Through examples and collaborative activities, we will explore strategies for incorporating prayer and reflection into math instruction to help students connect mathematical concepts with their faith journeys, enhancing their sense of purpose and interconnectedness. By integrating faith and mathematics, educators can inspire students to become compassionate, resilient, and hopeful pilgrims on their educational and spiritual journeys.
Mariarosa Schniering
York CDSB
Meeting Room: Peel
C12 - Embark on a Virtue Quest: Cultivating Student Well-Being
Secondary
In this dynamic workshop, we'll unlock the secret to thriving minds by tapping into the transformative power of virtue - inspired by the YCDSB's virtues of the month. Imagine a voyage where good habits become compass points, guiding us toward mental well-being. Join us as we explore practical strategies for instilling virtue into your Catholic community and help your students set sail towards flourishing horizons!
Adriano Parravani
York CDSB
Meeting Room: London
C13 - Seeing & Serving: Engaging complex cultures, identities and experiences of diverse students, beyond the basics! (CSCO partner)
Chaplains, Teachers, Support Staff, Administrators, Parents, Pastoral staff, Clergy
Genevieve and Nisheeta are South Asian "hyphen" Canadian women with decades of experience as Chaplains and Teacher-Chaplains in diverse, rapidly changing secondary schools. With a focus on the South Asian experience, this workshop will explore strategies for amplifying the voices of racialized and marginalized students. We will delve into the complex intersectionality of identities and discuss how to create representative, inclusive and culturally relevant chaplaincy programs, co-curriculars, and learning environments. This workshop is suitable for chaplains, educators, administrators, parents and pastoral staff who are interested in building up and celebrating representation, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our Universal Church. The workshop will include sharing our life experiences and best practices that have been successful with diverse communities of students and staff.
Nisheeta Menon, Genevieve Anderson
CSCO
Meeting Room: Mississauga C
C14 - Faith in Action: A Social Justice Journey with SAFP
All
Join Save A Family Plan (SAFP), a Canadian-based international organization encouraging those from developed countries to assist families and communities in India, on a Catholic social justice journey that enables students to put their Catholic faith and learning into action in exciting and interactive ways. This unique, personalized learning opportunity focuses on building relationships, both locally and internationally, demonstrating that small deeds can result in life-changing improvements for families. As agents of change, our students can act on their faith and Catholic values by instilling hope and providing new possibilities that foster hope, empowerment, and resiliency, resulting in sustainable development. Participants will gain access to educational tools and learning opportunities that engage students, teach them about social inequalities, and how they can become ambassadors of social change as they live out the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.
Marisa Thorburn, Nelson Couto
London DCSB
Meeting Room: Montreal B
C15 - Honouring Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Catholic Online Courses
All Teachers and Administrators
Have you ever wanted to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems into your face-to-face or online classes, but didn’t feel confident in doing so? This workshop focuses on two virtual resources from Catholic Virtual Ontario (CVO): one related to Indigenous knowledge systems and one related to Indigenous influencers. Find out how these two amazing resources were created with the assistance of Indigenous students, trustees, leads, and experts, and how they were used in the creation of many Catholic online courses. You’ll leave this workshop knowing how you can use both to enrich your face-to-face or online classes in a safe, honourable, and faith-filled way.
Anne O'Brien, Brian Chen
Other
Meeting Room: Toronto B
D1 - Weaving Mental Health and Well-Being into Your Everyday Practice
All
Join Charity, a Well-Being Implementation Coach, for an enriching workshop designed to empower Catholic educators and school teams with the knowledge and resources needed to foster mental health and well-being within their classroom and school environments. Throughout this interactive workshop, participants will delve into practical, hands-on resources and approaches for integrating mental health and well-being practices seamlessly into their everyday practices. From cultivating mindfulness and creating routines, to promoting social-emotional learning and self-regulation, this workshop will provide strategies for nurturing the mental health and well-being of both educators and school students alike within the context of the Catholic school community and a Catholic understanding of the human person.
Charity Paolini, MEd, BEd, SSW
London DCSB
Meeting Room: Montreal A
D2 - Creating a Healthy Learning Environment
All Teachers k-12, Administrators (Elementary and Secondary)
This presentation offers actionable insights into fostering a positive educational setting. Key areas include mindful meditation for educators, self-care resources tailored for Catholic teachers, cultivating a reflective mindset, examining shared beliefs, defining a healthy classroom's characteristics, establishing classroom norms, and behavior management strategies through case studies.
Michael Reich
Niagara CDSB
Meeting Room: Hamilton
D3 - Charting the Course of your Spiritual Journey
Chaplaincy leaders, Admin, faith mentors, Religion teachers
Life is a spiritual journey. While each of us has a unique spiritual course, when we gather together to look back on and share the roads we have walked, we find our paths dotted with encounters and experiences that continue to shape and nourish us today. In this workshop, participants will chart the course of their spiritual journey in a retreat-like atmosphere through the use of metaphor, personal reflection and small-group discussion. Afterward, the presenters will outline the why and how of the retreat experience, giving participants the tools to lead this retreat, or create similar retreat experiences for their own audiences.
Charity Corbett, Joe Rogers
Ottawa CSB
Meeting Room: Toronto A
D4 - Sound Bathing in Peace and Light: Student Entrepreneurship in Health, Spirituality and Wellness
ALL: - Elementary and Secondary educators; central board staff
This workshop will focus on sharing some recent initiatives to integrate health, spirituality and wellness, within the context of our Catholic faith, and drawing upon the resources of the local community. It will include three components: sharing an action research project that was organized by a group of secondary students as part of one of their courses, aiming to: - produce and market their own line of health products; - bring together a cross-section of partnering community organizations active in the fields of health, wellness, spirituality and community-building; - offer a half-hour guided experience of “sound-bathing,” a healing practice for deep relaxation and renewal sharing video clips of student voice, reflecting on this experience; live participation in a guided “sound-bath” meditation led by Ashleigh This workshop will offer ideas, vision and resources that could be adapted for use in the classroom.
Ashleigh Jeffery-Price
Simcoe Muskoka CDSB
Meeting Room: Windsor
D5 - Empowering Education: Harnessing AI As Your Classroom Assistant
All
In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a possibility; it’s a necessity. Join us for an engaging workshop where we will explore some of the incredible potential of AI to enhance both teaching and learning. In this workshop, we look at practical ways to leverage AI as a valuable teaching and administrative assistant and a powerful tool for your students’ academic growth. Using Catholic Social Teachings and the WCDSB Guidelines for Generative AI Use as our foundation and guides, we’ll delve into various AI-driven applications and platforms designed to streamline administrative tasks, provide personalized learning experiences, and unlock innovative teaching methods. By the end of this workshop, you’ll be equipped with some of the knowledge and skills needed to harness the potential of AI as your classroom assistant. We join together in shaping the future of education, where technology and teaching collaborate to create dynamic and effective learning environments.
John Schneider
Waterloo CDSB
Meeting Room: Ottawa
D6 - The Power of Music In Liturgy
All
Music is a powerful and integral part of our Catholic Liturgical and Eucharistic celebrations. This session will identify some key tools and strategies to take these moments and movements to a new level. Using music to engage and inspire participants into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ we will collectively share our gifts and talents. Participants are invited to bring a piece of music to share with the group. Please note, instruments are not required to participate.
Jamie Marr, Claudia Ferro
CCC