Friar Faculty Learn and Lead Through Summer Professional Development

As our Friars enjoyed the warm summer months away from campus, faculty embraced opportunities to deepen their content area expertise and pedagogical acumen. Many of them shared their mastery with peers from around the country, facilitating presentations and workshops.

In theology, Mrs. Mehen combined scholarly study, professional seminars, and visits to historic religious sites in Santa Fe. Her work included a Word on Fire seminar on the Old Testament, the Called and Gifted Charisms Program, and an online course in the philosophy of art and beauty. Ms. Pajda attended Theology of the Body seminars.

Our English faculty explored both classic and contemporary approaches to literature. Mr. Kantor immersed himself in a 15-hour Deconstructing the Beatles webinar and took a course on teaching film adaptations through Humanities Texas. Mrs. Raymond joined the same film course and attended a virtual teacher professional development day hosted by Disney’s Imagination Campus. Mrs. Smart focused on strategies to reach every student, including bridging general and special education, solving the “disengagement dilemma,” and improving classroom awareness.

In the sciences and math, faculty strengthened both technical knowledge and instructional skill. Sr. Cecilia Sehr contributed nationally as an AP Chemistry scorer and attended the AP Annual Conference in Boston along with Mr. Floresca, while Dr. Andrade explored new methods for high-quality math instruction, research-based strategies, and effective use of graphing calculators. Mrs. Pfeil completed an Augustine Institute course on Faith and Reason, as well as courses on The Confessions of St. Augustine, The Eucharist in the Bible, and Women Who Became Doctors of the Church.

Representing the intersection of technology and teaching, Mr. Nester '84, Dr. Burau, Ms. Schnurr, and Mr. Floresco attended the 2025 TCEA AI for Educators Conference, exploring the latest possibilities for AI in the classroom. Mr. Wade completed Microsoft Ignite training, mastering AI tools to support teaching and learning.

Social studies teacher Mrs. González served as a question leader for AP African American Studies, presented at the AP Annual Conference, and expanded her AP Human Geography curriculum through project-based learning at the AP Summer Institute.

Mrs. Wheeler continued her leadership as Assistant Chief Reader for the AP World History: Modern Exam, helping train educators to ensure consistency and accuracy in scoring. She facilitated four weeks of Advanced Placement Summer Institute training—covering both project-based and traditional instruction—and presented two sessions at the AP Annual Conference in Boston on strategies for the Document-Based Question and effective use of AP Classroom.
 

Beyond the classroom, our Athletic Training department used the summer to advance safety and care in sports. Mr. Hopper presented at both the Texas Emergency Athletics Management Symposium in McAllen and the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association Conference in Frisco, which Mrs. Ashley attended, as well. Mr. Hopper also attended the National Athletic Trainers Association Conference in Orlando, Florida.

As our students dive into an exciting year ahead, they are led by a dedicated faculty of lifelong learners and leaders!