In its ninth year, our largest annual event aimed to inspire and equip a growing community of Catholic educators to reclaim the Church’s full vision of education and to bring it to life in their classrooms. The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education’s 2021 National Conference was held for the first time in the Upper Midwest, at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Hundreds of Catholic educators came together to deepen their understanding of the nature and purpose of Catholic education and its roots in the classical liberal arts tradition. Our theme, Regaining a Catholic Vision in a Secular Age, reflected our need to be intentional about our mission and fully steeped in our educational heritage.
– Most Reverend James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L., Bishop of the Diocese of Lincoln
– Most Reverend Andrew H. Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
– Dr. Michael Naughton, Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota)
– Elias J. Moo, Superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Denver
– Jocelyn Jekel, Director of Classical Education and Science Teacher at Martin Saints Classical High School
– Martin Cothran, Director of the Classical Latin School Association, Editor of The Classical Teacher
Participants were equipped by choosing from over 40 breakout sessions, including these:
– “The Power of Memorized Language”
– “Struggling Students in the Classical Liberal Arts School: Personalism and Self-Knowledge in the Learning Services Room”
– “The Importance of Latin for the Church and the World”
– “Introducing New Faculty to a Liberal Arts School Using a Strong Philosophy of Education”
– “Seminars as the Seedbed of Culture”
– “The Role and Practice of Logic in the Classical Curriculum”
– “Homer, Dostoevsky, and the Beatific Vision”
– “Living the Liturgical Year in the Classroom”
– “Closing the Gap: Reading, Writing, and Speaking”
– School Leaders Roundtable and Grade Level Teacher Presentations
The Institute offered a live streaming option for those who could not attend the National Conference in person. All plenaries and select breakouts were available to be viewed via live stream by those who have purchased a faculty license.
PLEASE NOTE: Accommodations are in modest dormitories on the campus of UST. Rooms are single occupancy with a shared bathroom on a first-come, first-served basis. Linens but not toiletries will be provided. Attendees should bring hand soap and hangers. Late registrants may be limited to double occupancy. For those interested in local hotel accommodations, see here.
