Leader of Pedogogy

LOP Message

Contentious as it may be, but I knowingly declare, right here, right now, that teaching is a profession of privilege. This privilege is not derived from status, nor wealth, or even time; we all know the vocational and emotional commitment teachers make. Instead, in teaching, we have the privilege of insight, foresight, and the ability to actually make a difference. And yet, this privilege extends beyond being a change agent. It lies in the realm of being a part of a community. A community dedicated to life-long learning that includes teachers, parents and the very reason we have a professional purpose - our students. 

The past two weeks, have reminded me exactly how much a privilege it is to be a teacher. By our school progressively making a change to tradition in order to meet the demands of our rapidly-changing world through student-led conferencing, I found myself part of a community that strives to truly afford students the opportunity to engage authentically in their learning. Knowing that this kind of engagement can only result in transferable life-long real-world skills is affirmation that we are on the right path.  

When parents identify that “they are proud that their children get to go to this school and be nurtured”, and teachers are able to see the positivity in students “taking ownership and showcasing their learning” at the same time that students feel like they “finally have a voice”, the value of the O’Connor Catholic community is clear and our privilege as educators emerges.

Joan Chittister OSB, encapsulates the very essence of our O’Connor learning Community when she states:

“We exist to be miracle workers to one another. It is in community that we see God in the other. It is in community that we see our own emptiness filled up. It is in community that calls me beyond the pinched horizons of my own life, my own country, my own race, and gives me the gifts I do not have within me...the function of community is to enable us to be about something greater than ourselves.” 

So, as we move towards our very bright collaborative future, founded on faith and focused on learning...Thank you. Thank you for being such an integral part of our learning community. 

Eli Simpson

Leader of Pedagogy