ORLANDO | More than 3,000 teachers and administrators worshiped together at the Orange County Convention Center April 22, for the opening Mass at the National Catholic Educational Association conference.
Bishop John Noonan concelebrated Mass with Archbishop Thomas Zinkula of Dubuque, Iowa, Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv., of Atlanta, and Father Nate Wills, CSC.
Over the next few days, attendees then gathered in 150 different mini-sessions to learn and share on topics like artificial intelligence, praying with art, deepening spirituality in schools, and living out Laudato Sí in the classroom.
Alicia Abbey, principal of Morning Star Catholic School in Orlando, spoke of the distinct opportunity her school offers in differentiated instruction, facilitated by the shared campus with St. Charles Borromeo (kindergarten thru eighth grade) and Bishop Moore High School. Morning Star serves students with disabilities.
“Differentiated instruction helps build an inclusive environment,” Abbey said, adding she hoped attendees saw “how we’re trying to be like our main teacher, Jesus who teaches us to reach every person and to love and have compassion for all. That’s what inclusion in education is and we want our audience to know they can do it at their school too.”
As students of all ages and capabilities walk together as companions, Abbey said, “They come away with compassion for and acceptance of each other, noticing we are all made in the image of God and are all different.”
Brea Smith of Annunciation Academy in Altamonte Springs shared how she and fellow teacher at the time, Nazly Cabral, handled the loss of a student and how the experience changed the way they viewed their role as Catholic instructors.
“We needed to be whatever the kids needed that day,” she said. Concerned about addressing her sixth-graders who were struggling with empathy who were the furthest removed from the situation, Smith was surprised at the loving response. “They were very quiet and calm. In the moment, it gave us what we needed as homeroom teachers,” she said. Counselors were on hand for students and administrators spent the day relieving teachers who needed a break emotionally.
Teachers throughout the diocese volunteered as guides in between taking sessions themselves. Christine McNerney is a 10th-grade theology teacher at Melbourne Central Catholic. This is her first NCEA convention and found the first day had a lot to take in. She enjoyed the opening Mass and “how Bishop Noonan interacted with the children.”
“You want (the students) to have that abundant life,” McNerney shared. “Following the truth is the way to have that abundant life they want. They’re all searching for something and only see the secular side of things right now. I tell them theology is a life skill. No matter what you do, you’re going to need your theology because we all have to answer, ‘Who do you think Jesus is?’”
Jeanette Cohn has been teaching for 40 years and is the resources/special education teacher at St. Joseph School in Palm Bay. She searched for sessions on spiritual leadership. “I believe Catholic schools cannot be true to their identity without Catholic leadership that is a strong and vibrant role model for the kids,” she said. “We may be the only Jesus they meet. If we are all in the same mission of raising saints, we can strengthen each other.” Cohn remains dedicated to Catholic schools “because of that ability to bring God and morality back into the system.”
With the theme, “Be the Light”, Erika Wikstrom, superintendent for schools for the Diocese of Orlando, said the world needs “light that is grounded in compassion, truth, and Christ Himself.” She thanked those present for bringing light into the lives of students, family, and fellow staff.
Quoting Pope Francis she said, “Education is an act of hope.” She told those attending, “That is exactly what you give. Thank you for the light you carry and the lives you touch every single day.”
Click here to watch a reel on the NCEA Conference.
By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, April 24, 2025