GREENSBORO — The Diocese of Charlotte Schools Office hosted “Ignite,” a professional development conference for teachers and administrators March 26-27 at the Koury Convention Center.
More than 550 diocesan teachers and administrators attended the two-day conference.
Catholic educators from across western North Carolina came together for Mass celebrated by Monsignor Richard Bellow, a retired priest of the diocese who formerly served as pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville. He has remained active as St. Mark School’s dean of students.
Keynote speaker for the conference on March 26 was Dr. John Almarode, an associate professor in the College of Education at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. His address was titled “Kindle the Fire for Student Learning: What Matters Most in Teaching and Learning.”
During the second day of the conference, 60 unique sessions were offered to participants. Topics included Internet and Social Media Safety, Catholic Social Teaching in the Classroom and The Way of Beauty, Using Sacred Art for Student Engagement, Nurturing Catholic Leaders, Proverbs 22:6 and the Pursuit of Excellence and Virtue, STEM IT UP!, Teaching Math Using the Lego Brick, Google Expeditions and breakout sessions according to grade and elective course topics.
Students from Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville volunteered during the conference by assisting with Mass, participating during the prayer service and answering logistical questions during the breakout sessions.
Barbara Fricke, an eighth-grade counselor at Holy Trinity Middle School, appreciated the conference. In correspondence after the event she shared, “I am thankful we got to go to the Greensboro Conference. The length was perfect, the sessions were informative and the camaraderie was great.”
“The Catholic School Education Conference provided our teachers with the opportunity to join together in prayer and professional development,” said Dr. Janice Ritter, superintendent of diocesan schools.
“It is so rewarding to see so many educators committed to the mission of Catholic education. Jacqui Durrett, Patty Fischer, Deb Lee, Debbie Mixer, David Rad and Mary Stagmaier did an outstanding job organizing the conference. It was extremely well done.”
The conference was funded in part by the MACS Education Annual Fund.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School graduate Josh Brodowicz has achieved his lifelong goal of receiving an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.
Brodowicz is a point guard for the Queens University Royals, who on March 22 lost to Northern State in double overtime during the NCAA Division II national semifinals. His father graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1984, and his older brother graduated last year.
“After failing to receive a nomination for the second consecutive year in 2016, I was devastated. I truly thought that my chances of going to the Naval Academy were over. I did not think I would apply again because I would be forced to restart my undergraduate degree and forego two years of college education,” Brodowicz said. “However, this summer I decided to reapply for two reasons. The first is my burning desire to join the camaraderie and brotherhood within the halls of Bancroft. The second reason for reapplying is the Naval Academy will prepare me to become an officer and give me the best opportunity to pursue my lifelong goal of becoming a naval aviator.”
Brodowicz graduated from Charlotte Catholic in 2016 and is the son of Mark and Carla Brodowicz.
“What incredible, remarkable perseverance,” said Congressman Robert Pittenger, who announced Brodowicz’s appointment. “Life is hard, and often unfair. Some get knocked down and give up. Those who truly succeed get knocked down multiple times but keep trying. Josh is an inspiration.”
Brodowicz is one of eleven local students to receive a U.S. Service Academy appointment for the 2017-’18 academic year.