Roche Center for Catholic Education Podcast

In episode two of Care at the Margins, host John Reyes turns the focus to the children themselves — examining what immigrant students carry with them into school communities and how immigration enforcement is showing up in measurable, observable ways in their behavior, mental health, and learning. This episode explores what educators need to understand about trauma responses, and what's at stake if the needs of these children go unaddressed.

When immigration enforcement swept through the neighborhoods of South Los Angeles and Chicago's South Side, Catholic school principals Sima Perez and Sister Ilse faced an impossible tension: parents afraid to leave their homes, yet trusting that their children would be safe inside school walls. In this opening episode of Care at the Margins, their stories and those of the families they serve reveal what's really at stake when a Catholic school decides to live out its mission.

The task at hand for Catholic schools in the work of formation is undoubtedly a new frontier – but what about the teachers and leaders to whom the care of young people has been entrusted to? In this final episode, we explore the need for adult wellbeing and formation, how this work is deeply rooted in each person's spiritual journey, and a glimpse of what practical, system and school-level support for adult wellbeing might look, sound, and feel like.

Loneliness and belonging are fundamental threats to the well-being of children and adults today, and Catholic schools are on the front lines of what former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy calls "an epidemic of loneliness." In Episode 2, we draw on six voices and perspectives to paint a picture of the threats of exclusion, the promise of a renewed commitment to inclusion, and the critical levers schools can draw on to create community and connection.

The blisteringly rapid pace of change in our world has never been more apparent, given the growing pressures of an increasingly connected society, the impact of social media and connectivity on young people, and greater awareness of trauma's effects on the formation of young people - but how have Catholic schools met the moment? In Episode 1, we explore the "cannonball moments" that have propelled Catholic school communities forward to embrace a more holistic approach to education.

Maddie Jarrett, a doctoral candidate in Systematic Theology at Boston College and former high school theology teacher at Mount Alvernia High School, joins us this week for the fourth and final episode of the podcast. She discusses her experiences teaching theology and the importance of cultivating reflective students, the power of storytelling and the recognition of grace in students' lives, and the importance of remaining open to surprise and recognizing the infinite capacity of each student.

Dr. Kevin Burke, Professor within the Department of Language and Literacy Education at the University of Georgia, joins the podcast this week to discuss the idea of a human-centered approach to teaching and learning, accompanying students to help them become their authentic selves, and the power of liking students in creating inclusive environments.

Dr. Mary Jo Iozzio, Professor of Moral Theology at the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, joins the podcast this week to discusses the intersection of disability ethics and Catholic social teaching, personal experiences and the importance of recognizing the dignity of all individuals, and the need for inclusivity and support in Catholic schools.

Dr. Dennis Shirley, co-author of The Age of Identity, joins Drs. Jeremy Alexander and John Reyes for the first episode of the Roche Center Summer Virtual Book Club 2024 podcast to talk about the origins of the research that led to the writing of the book, addressing issues of identity and schools, and exploring the intersection of faith and identity.