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Oakcrest Teacher Institute: The Joy of Teaching
Last summer, Oakcrest School launched its Teacher Institute, a professional development program for new and returning teachers. The two-week summer Institute was followed by additional training workshops throughout the academic year, providing ongoing formation for Oakcrest faculty.
The Institute consists of presentations and discussion groups led by our experienced faculty, as well as opportunities for fellowship and mentorship. The aim of the Oakcrest Teacher Institute is to bring the essential pieces of an Oakcrest education to our faculty and staff: Christian anthropology, the philosophy of education as an Opus Dei-inspired Catholic school, the Oakcrest mission, and an all-girls education.
One of the highlights of the summer Teacher Institute was a session on “The Joy of Teaching: Teaching Virtue and Truth,” by Science Teacher Mrs. Christina Friddle and Middle School Director Ms. Laurie Duncan. Both teachers spoke on the vocation of teaching, emphasizing the goal of a liberal arts education to lead young persons to authentic freedom and truth.
Mrs. Friddle reiterated the words of St. Thomas Aquinas on the role of the teacher: “A teacher awakens the pupil’s intellect to know the things which he teaches, as an indispensable mover, bringing the intellect from potentiality to actuality.”
Their session guided teachers in the development of their own philosophy of teaching, encouraging faculty to reflect deeply on the ultimate objective of teaching, their experience in the classroom, and the unique relationship between a teacher and student.
Ms. Duncan and Mrs. Friddle led break-out groups and provided practical advice on maintaining joy in the classroom. A proper liberal arts curriculum forms not only the intellect but also the will and the heart. In this regard, an appreciation for the role of wonder and delight in beauty is a fundamental part of an Oakcrest education.
Mrs. Friddle shared that serving others is the source of joy in teaching: “What is the purpose of your work? To be of the greatest service to others. A spirit of service gives meaning to your work. Once you have reflected on this, it will bring great joy to your teaching.”
Future plans for the Oakcrest Teacher Institute include expanding the program: “Moving forward, we hope to explore how to take what we’ve delivered and figure out a best practice to share some of the hallmark presentations that could be adapted to a group of teachers and educators who are not currently at Oakcrest,” said Associate Head of School Cynthia Bertolini.
This next phase of the Institute will extend formation to outside educators and inspire them on their own campuses as they pursue their vocations as teachers.
