Friday, October 2 was this year’s installment of the annual Teacher Excellence Day.

While most of their students were sleeping or enjoying the day off, the teachers of the Archdiocese of Seattle gathered at both Bishop Blanchet and St. Charles Borromeo School in Tacoma at around 8 o’clock to begin a day of learning and reconnecting with old colleagues.

Teacher Excellence Day follows a similar schedule every year: It begins with a Mass at 9 o’clock and is followed by a keynote speaker, discussions, and small group classes. However, this year was different.
“The articulation session was different this year.” said English teacher Jesse McFeron in regard to the changes. “We had a small-group, structured discussion around professional development (PD).  We talked over things like the most impactful PD we’ve experienced and what we dream about having done in the future. It was nice to hear what others were doing and it reaffirmed some of the choices BBHS has made to improve student learning.”

The theme this year was “Feed One Another.” This was carried along through the homily during Mass, as well as the small group classes and discussion circles.

“Probably the most interesting thing I heard was Bishop Elizondo’s definition of an excellent teacher.  He said that kind of teacher leaves students wanting more,” said McFeron. “It was a nice reminder to strive for lessons, activities, discussions, and stuff that my students will continue to think about outside of class-later that day, sometime the following week, or ten years down the road.”

All in all, Teacher Excellence Day was a success yet again. Take some time to thank a teacher for being excellent today.