At the Crossroads Lectures Calling upon the expertise of thought leaders, public intellectuals, and other individuals who are making a positive impact on society; At the Crossroads Lectures create a public forum for exploring the most important and compelling issues spanning the broad spectrum of human endeavor and experience. Our November program focuses on education, educators, and what it means to discover the “soul of teaching.”
The Soul of Teaching with author John Horan
Love is the lesson plan. Teachers and principals know that all growth happens in the context of deep relationships between young people and mindful adults. We can only go deep with young people if we stay deep. Staying deep is, at its core, a spiritual enterprise.
Although our schools may be public or charter, parochial or private, in home or in a big or tiny building, they are all spiritual places. The soul of teaching belongs to no one faith, denomination, or philosophy, but it encompasses all of them.
In these days of chasing standardized test metrics, common cores, budget crises, pandemics, and protests, it is easy to forget that schools are the setting for the life of the spirit. Each school has a soul, and so does each teacher, principal, student, parent, and support staff.
Great schools are ultimately acts of love. They come from the deepest core of interactions between students and teachers. But teachers and principals and support staff (and parents-turned-teachers running a school at the dining room table) can run dry. Our lights can be extinguished.
Drawing from the reflections in his book, John will offer stories, insights, and prayers to teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and anyone who cares about educating our children.
Although our schools may be public or charter, parochial or private, in home or in a big or tiny building, they are all spiritual places. The soul of teaching belongs to no one faith, denomination, or philosophy, but it encompasses all of them.
In these days of chasing standardized test metrics, common cores, budget crises, pandemics, and protests, it is easy to forget that schools are the setting for the life of the spirit. Each school has a soul, and so does each teacher, principal, student, parent, and support staff.
Great schools are ultimately acts of love. They come from the deepest core of interactions between students and teachers. But teachers and principals and support staff (and parents-turned-teachers running a school at the dining room table) can run dry. Our lights can be extinguished.
Drawing from the reflections in his book, John will offer stories, insights, and prayers to teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and anyone who cares about educating our children.
Thursday, November 19
7 – 8:15 pm CT
This program is presented as a Zoom Webinar.
Please register at: bit.ly/atc-soulofteaching
Please note, the webinar differs from Zoom meetings in that it is a view-only format. However, it does allow for Q&A.
7 – 8:15 pm CT
This program is presented as a Zoom Webinar.
Please register at: bit.ly/atc-soulofteaching
Please note, the webinar differs from Zoom meetings in that it is a view-only format. However, it does allow for Q&A.
John Horan has worked with young people for 40 years. He is one of the founders of North Lawndale College Prep, having served as a teacher, Dean of Students, and President. He previously served as the Director of the I HAVE A DREAM Foundation and the Catholic Youth Office in Chicago.
The Old St. Patrick’s Church Community is especially grateful to John for his leadership in helping us launch The Kinship Initiative and proud to have collaborated with him in creating Phoenix Hall, a year-round residence for Chicago high school students experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
The Old St. Patrick’s Church Community is especially grateful to John for his leadership in helping us launch The Kinship Initiative and proud to have collaborated with him in creating Phoenix Hall, a year-round residence for Chicago high school students experiencing homelessness or housing instability.