Art and science of Catholic school teaching

Dr. Tina H. Boogren believes educating young people can be the hardest but also the most rewarding job around.

The veteran educator and presenter from the Marzano institute led a professional development day for more than 600 Catholic school educators and administrators Nov. 6 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City.

The subject was “The New Art and Science of Teaching.”

Students in the diocese’s 37 Catholic grade schools and three Catholic high schools got the day off while their faculty, staff and administrators spent time learning from Dr. Boogren and each other.

“She’s one awesome presenter. I would like to have several days of training with her,” said Jeanne Livers, a junior-high advanced math teacher at St. Joseph Cathedral School in Jefferson City.

The event was organized by the Diocesan Catholic School Office, which is supported by contributions to the Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA).

Dr. Boogren has been a classroom teacher, English department chairperson, teacher mentor, instructional coach, professional developer, athletic coach and building-level leader.

She is also a co-author of Strategies to Motivate and Inspire Students along with Robert Marzano, Darrell Scott and Ming Lee, and a contributing author to Richard Kellough’s Middle School Teaching: A Guide to Methods and Resources and Mr. Marzano’s Becoming a Reflective Teacher.

Mrs. Livers said it was invigorating to learn from someone who clearly understands the challenges and satisfaction of educating children.

“She was humorous. She was real,” said Mrs. Livers. “She talked about things that really go on in the classroom.”

“There is no box”

Dr. Boogren set out to give teachers and principals ideas and strategies to become immediately better at what they do.

“Focusing on relationships, student engagement, rules and procedures and having high expectations for all students is essential in every classroom,” she said.

She talked about how even small improvements in teacher effectiveness have a measurable impact on student achievement.

“When we take the time to truly get to know — and appreciate — one another, we can have a profound impact on student achievement and creating sturdy human beings who will go out into the world and make a positive difference,” she said.

Eddie Mulholland, principal of St. Martin School in St. Martins, said she was the best professional-development presenter he’s ever heard.

“She was funny, she was engaging and she had every educator and staff person involved,” he noted.

Mr. Mullholland, who refers to students as disciples, found Dr. Boogren’s emphasis on creativity refreshing.

“Forget about thinking outside the box,” he said. “Educators in Catholic schools have to take the lead, and there is no box anymore.”

He was particularly impressed with Dr. Boogren’s message about building relationships with students and diligently planning instruction time.

“We’ve have to build a bond, we have to have clear direction and we have to hold ourselves accountable,” he said.

He was also impressed with her message that every adult in every school — teachers, cooks, property managers, principals — shares responsibility for keeping each student engaged.

“Everybody has to have high expectations,” he said. “Everybody has to give their best to help the disciples grow with Christ.

“The big rule is that we must engage with Christ in every class,” he said.

Staying active

Participants in the day’s activities said they were eager to put what they learned to good use back to the classroom.

Mrs. Livers was happy to find out how important it is to keep students physically active throughout the day.

“The active body energizes an active brain,” she said.

A few days after she learned that, it was time for Mrs. Livers to give her students a test.

But first, she told her students, “I want to wake your brain up a little bit. I want you to stand up and jog in place.”

The students then took the test and wound up scoring higher than she though they would.

Mr. Mulholland said he appreciated Dr. Boogren’s reassurance that “if you do well, the disciples in your care will never forget you.”

He agreed that educators need to take time to ask in-depth questions and be creative, especially with young people who are reluctant to learn.

“We need to design areas in our classrooms where our disciples are comfortable learning,” he said.

Dr. Boogren also emphasized how important it is for educators to maintain their own health.

Kindness

and dedication

This was the first time Dr. Boogren presented to such a large group.

Her audience impressed her.

“I was blown away by the incredible kindness, engagement and dedication to students that I saw in the participants,” she said. “The laughter and learning that we all shared was astounding, and I am so grateful for my time with these outstanding educators.”

“It was a fabulous day!” she said.

This event ties in with the diocese’s renewed commitment to promoting faith, family and outreach, as called for in Bishop John R. Gaydos’ pastoral plan, “Christ’s Call ... Our Response.”