All Corps Day of Reflection

On Saturday, August 15, 2009, almost 70 first- and second-year teachers gathered at Northwestern University. These teachers came from our Volunteer Teaching Corps (VTC) and UNITE programs, joining all together for the first time this year. This day was the kick-off to the 2009-2010 school year and provided our teachers with a chance to step back and reflect on what was before them. First-year teachers with the VTC took time in community to reflect on what they had shared this summer and how they would continue to grow in their houses during the coming year. Our second-year VTC members gathered as a large group, reconnecting after a summer of exploring the city, country, and world. UNITE gathered to share hopes and fears for the coming school year, as well as to share in some fun team-building activities.

All of our teachers gathered at the beginning and end of the day, with break-out sessions in the middle. To open the day, our teachers sat down with Dan Dowling from De La Salle Institute to investigate the ?12 Virtues of a Good Teacher? as developed by Brother Agathon. Teachers were given the chance to reflect, discuss, and investigate the virtues of Gravity, Silence, Humility, Prudence, Wisdom, Patience, Reserve, Gentleness, Zeal, Vigilance, Piety, and Generosity. At the end of the day, everyone re-gathered to share in a cookout and social time by Lake Michigan.