There were so many ‘good’ components to the day… the opening session… Starbucks Coffee… the key note speaker… lunch at the pub… an awesome first session… and not so awesome second session.  I met a lot of great people and I am totally wowed by the awesomeness of the conference center.  What captured my attention today was the opening session called the Opening Eucharistic Liturgy.  I am not sure of the terminology and Catholic rituals, but I much enjoyed listening to the words of wisdom of Archbishop J. Michael Miller, the harmony of the choir, the eloquence of the master of ceremonies, the empowering live gospel music by John Angotti, and the murmurs of the Catholic Educators all around me participating in the religious process.

The experience was amazing.  What struck me about the most was the COLLECTIVE EFFICACY.  I witnessed a collection of Catholic Educators from around the province united in one venue with one vision.  The collective understanding and support contributes to their practice as teachers, which in turn has a positive effect on student achievement.  “Teaching is a privilege” and “Teaching is a noble practice” was the mantra of this morning.  The event was very motivational and inspirational.  New teachers were acknowledged and welcomed to the collective and teachers with 25 years of service were honored amongst their peers.  Catholic Educators were ultimately celebrated.

Not to ramble on about today’s session, but there are certainly distinct similarities and differences between this conference and one’s I have previously attended as a practicing teacher.  Tomorrow is a double session of Damian Cooper talking about Assessment for Learning.  I am looking forward to that.  I am learning a tonne of what to do and what not to do as a public speaker, I am making connections between my thesis writing and what I’m observing, and I am excited about my own workshops to come.  I’ve also learned that my workshop coming up on March 3, 2011 with the CISVA secondary math teachers is full with 30 participants and people are currently being turned away.  All that I know is my sense of self-efficacy to teach has strengthened after today’s conference.