NCEA Podcast

Dr. Dan O'Connell is the Deputy Superintendent of High Schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Kathy Almazol is the former Superintendent in the Diocese of San Jose. They both have participated in the content development for the New Leaders Academy. The podcast will cover the process for new principals to acclimate to a school environment and discuss the skills, attitudes and dispositions required for success.

Rushton Hurley, Executive Director and Founder of Next Vista for Learning, shares insights on professional development, team building, distance learning, and handling change in the midst of the pandemic. He brings a wealth of perspective and wisdom from his experience as an educator, principal, speaker, author, and trainer. He is the author of Technology, Teamwork, and Excellence published by NCEA.

Cari White and Dan Masterton sit down with NCEA Chief Innovation Officer Kevin Baxter to discuss the new world of high school campus ministry during this unprecedented time. They offer insights from their many years of experience on the ground serving students in teaching and ministry. Cari and Dan co-authored a new book this year with NCEA, Cultivating Faith: A Guide to Building Catholic High School Campus Ministry.

What does it look like when teachers and leaders across a diocese pull together to elevate student learning? Jill Annable, Assistant Superintendent for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, shares about how to unlock the power of collaboration, practice sharing, and professional development - even in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime event in the history of American education.

NCEA Interim President and CEO Kathy Mears sits down with Jodee Blanco, anti-bullying speaker and New York Times bestselling author. Bullying prevention in the new back-to-school reality is part of the compassionate classroom and strengthening partnerships with parents can help foster a collaborative relationship. Jodee dives into these topics in anticipation of her upcoming Masterclass with NCEA.

This week’s podcast features Bishop Robert Barron, an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian. The founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Barron is also the host of the documentary CATHOLICISM, a bestselling author, popular social media icon and NBC News on-air contributor and analyst. During the podcast, Bishop Barron will discuss the value that Catholic schools provide students and families from a faith formation perspective, the relationship between science and faith, as well as the role that Catholic schools can play in healing and education as it pertains to justice and peace.

You will not want to miss this week’s podcast, which features Vincent Hale and Tiffany Norris, who discuss teaching and working in a Catholic school during this time of national reckoning of systemic racism. Vincent is a music teacher at Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem, and just graduated from the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the University of Notre Dame. His passion for using his talents to connect with young people will leave you inspired. Tiffany Norris is a school counselor at Cathedral Catholic High School and the mother of two young boys. Her insight on the podcast is powerful both as an educator and a mom and you will be moved by her words.

Dr. Cynthia Ryals, Principal of St. Alphonsus School in Louisiana, shares her experience of crisis leadership in the face of natural disasters as well as the current pandemic. Her book is "Crisis Planning for Catholic School Leaders: Protecting Schools in the 21st Century and Beyond."

This episode showcases Pam Lyons, the superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Pam shares her reflections on the decision to move to distance learning for the Catholic schools in San Francisco on March 12, the first in the country to do so.

This podcast features Leslie De Leonardis, the STEM network director for the Department of Catholic Schools in Los Angeles, and John Reyes, most recently an assistant superintendent in the Diocese of Charleston and the newest member of the NCEA team. Leslie and John will discuss their mutual work in the area of STREAM and the upcoming NCEA workshop on June 23 and 24.