NCEA in Pittsburgh

About 2,000 educators and school administrators from across North America will gather at Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Education Center April 2-4, 2024 for the annual convention of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). The NCEA is the largest private, professional education association in the world.

All elementary and high schools of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will be closed on those days so that their teachers and administrators can attend.

“Our diocese has been blessed with this opportunity for the teachers and administrators who strive to keep our schools academically excellent, spiritually challenging and economically sustainable to explore new approaches and share ideas,” said Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Bishop Zubik will offer the opening Mass at on April 2, at 9:15 a.m. and the closing Mass on April 4, at 12:30 p.m. Auxiliary Bishop William Waltersheid of Pittsburgh will preside at Mass on April 3, at 9 a.m., with Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer of Atlanta preaching.

Michelle Peduto, who has announced her impending retirement as diocesan superintendent of schools, will receive the NCEA’s Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education Award at the President’s Dinner on April 1, at 6 p.m.
 
“Our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have been an inspiration to me as well as to the students. I am so glad that the teachers and administrators will be able to share their experiences with colleagues from across the continent,” she said.

The presentations and workshops address a full range of educational levels and institutions, including early childhood, elementary, high school, higher education and parish-based education. The topics are academic, administrative, spiritual, technological and relational. Jennifer Antkowiak, the executive director of communications and community relations for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, who has a background in care-giving and self-care, will give a presentation on personal wellness: “Nurturing Well-Being: Practical Strategies for Catholic Educator.”

Professional development sessions center on the themes: Connecting with Community, Centered in Christ, Leading the Way, Characterized by Excellence, Serving All Students and Committing to a Successful Tomorrow.

Complete information is available at https://www.ncea.org/ncea2024