Conferences and Programs

Annual Convention and Exposition
Every year the NCEA Annual Convention & Exposition for all Catholic educators is held the week after Easter Sunday.  Information is available here about the Secondary School Department’s and the Association’s convention program.

2008-2009 Leadership Development Conferences

The Department supports Catholic schools to promote and live their Catholic Identity through professional development conferences.  The Department organizes conferences that strive to foster Catholic Identity and leadership development among members. 

Developing an Effective Brand Strategy to Drive Enrollment
October 21-23, 2008, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chicago, IL

For presidents, principals, advancement personnel and administrators seeking to develop and strengthen school admissions and promote student enrollment. (Click Here for More Information and to Register)

Instructional Leadership Conference: Closing the Knowing/Doing Gap for Effective Teaching
November 20 to 22, 2009, Loyola University, Chicago, IL (Click Here for More Information and to Regsister)

The best way to improve learning in schools is to improve teaching. Catholic schools have high expectations for students, and teachers who see teaching as a vocation and a ministry to help students reach their full potential. This conference invites instructional leaders from K-12 Catholic schools to consider together what they can do in their schools to move every teacher toward greater effectiveness. The featured presenters will share their breadth of experience and knowledge in innovative instruction through highly interactive sessions. Participants will bring back to their school communities diverse and specific applications to assist in school-wide improvement.

This Fourth Annual Instructional Leadership conference is co-sponsored by Center for Catholic School Effectiveness (CCSE) and NCEA for principals, assistant principals, department chairs, curriculum leaders, assistant superintendents, and teacher leaders. 

Special Needs in Catholic Schools Conference
January 18 to 20, 2009, Charleston, South Carolina

The Elementary and Secondary Schools Department co-host this increasingly popular conference designed to assist those who work with special needs learners.  Breakout sessions feature experts in the field of special needs learners and Catholic education.  Last year, the conference attracted 160 elementary and secondary school educators and administrators. Click Here for More Information and to Register 

Agents of Positive Change: A Leadership Conference for Deans and Administrators Responsible for Student Affairs and School Culture
February 11 to 13, 2009, San Francisco, CA

    Click Here for More Information and to Register    Agenda(draft)    Facilitator Bios   Postcard

Wisdom and Witness for Religious Educators, Campus Ministers and Service Learning Coordinators
University of Notre Dame, June 29 to July 1, 2009

This biennial professional development opportunity for religion teachers, campus ministers and service directors is co-hosted by NCEA and the Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame.

Shepherding the Shepherds
A retreat program designed to integrate the school administrators’ spirituality fully with their ministry. The program fosters this integration through a series of exchanges with peers in other Catholic elementary and/or secondary schools. They together explore the faith-building dimensions of Catholic school leadership in context of the privilege and challenge of leadership. Taking the 2 days for reflection, relaxation, conversation and prayer, they gain new insights and renewed energy for their leadership role. [More Information].   For individuals and schools interested in this program might consider purchasing Colleagues in Faith: Models of Shared Prayer and Collegial Support for Catholic Educational Leaders.  This book is the result of the Shepherding the Shepherds program and provides guided sessions on convening groups around a theme or season to pray, share, celebrate, relax and show their support for one another.  Colleagues in Faith reflects a highly collaborative effort of writing, reviewing and piloting by those who know best: Catholic school educators.  Purchasing information may be attained through the NCEA Publications Department at 202.337.6232.