Presented March 30 in Douglaston, Queens, the event drew more than 200 teachers and administrators.

“There’s an increasing understanding of the importance of early childhood education as foundational to the growth and development of the student,” said Patricia Kelly-Stiles, Ed.D., associate director for the center and a co-organizer of the event. “The diocese was most grateful that members of the GSE community were wiling to share their insights and expertise with early childhood educators.”

Kathleen Cashin, Ed.D., a clinical professor at GSE and a member of the New York State Board of Regents, gave the keynote address, “Healthy Growth of the Young Child.” In it, she emphasized the importance of helping children develop key qualities that will equip them for healthy, productive lives. She also noted how early childhood educators can nurture these qualities in children early on.

Several members of the GSE faculty and staff also presented at the event. Workshops were offered by Vincent Alfonso, Ph.D., a professor and former associate dean for academic affairs; Marilyn Bisberg, adjunct professor in GSE; Joseph Porzio, a team associate for GSE’s Partnership Support Organization; and Chun Zhang, Ph.D., a professor in GSE’s division of Curriculum and Teaching.

“Part of our work here at the University is to support the educational activities in the non-public school community, whether it be in a leadership capacity or in other areas,” Kelly-Stiles said. “[Here] we were able to share research and information on topics that were of particular interest to the early childhood educators in the Brooklyn Diocese.”

None of that is possible, however, if a school cannot draw students in the first place.

To address this basic challenge, the Center for Catholic School Leadership and Faith-Based Education, part of the Graduate School of Education, and Bloomingdale’s co-sponsored an in-service training session on Dec. 20 regarding the marketing of schools.

Thirty Catholic elementary school principals from the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn and the Diocese of Rockville Centre gathered at Bloomingdale’s corporate headquarters to gain entrepreneurial and marketing skills geared toward promoting their schools.

“School leaders in the 21st century not only have to be competent instructional leaders, but in Catholic schools they need to develop an entrepreneurial spirit as a core competency as well, so that they know how to promote their schools,” said Patricia Kelly-Stiles, Ed.D., associate director of the center.

“As a result of demographic changes, Catholic schools throughout the New York City metropolitan area are challenged to recruit adequate numbers of students so that the schools can continue to thrive,” she said.

Led by Kelly-Stiles and Gerald Cattaro, Ed.D., executive director of the center, along with Bloomingdale’s Richard Pittelli, vice president of financial control, and Michelle Pogue, manager of education, communication and recognition, the training drew on the retail giant’s corporate models to give the principals tips on marketing their schools.

“It’s important for the principals because one of their main functions is to attract students to the schools,” Cattaro said. “They have a terrific product and the real challenge is to get the word out there… We can learn from business.”

The participating principals will assemble again in May to reflect on the strategies they implemented since the December training and how their schools have benefitted.

Moreover, Kelly-Stiles added, these strategies are essential not just for Catholic school administrators, but also for anyone who serves in an administrative role in education.

“[For] people studying for school leadership positions, knowing how to promote their schools is becoming more and more prevalent and I would anticipate seeing some of those elements infused into the existing courses,” she said. “Twenty-first century leaders have to have an entrepreneurial spirit whether they are in business, retail or education. It’s part of what one is called to do.”

— Joanna Klimaski

Along with the Center for Catholic School Leadership and Faith-Based Education and Fordham Career Services, GSE will host a career-planning event for Catholic school educators on Saturday, April 30, in Westchester and on Wednesday, May 18, in Manhattan.

“Career Planning for Catholic School Educators” is designed to assist Catholic schoolteachers and administrators who will be affected by the closing of schools in the Archdiocese of New York. The event is the brainchild of Patricia Kelly-Stiles, Ed.D., (TMC ’70, GSAS ’75, GSE ’82, ‘99), associate director for the Center for Catholic School Leadership and Faith Based Education.

Prior to joining Fordham, Kelly-Stiles spent decades in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. As deputy superintendent responsible for teacher and principal personnel, Kelly-Stiles witnessed staff at a crossroads when the that diocese made the decision to close parish schools.

“I remembered interviewing many of these people when they were first starting out,” Stiles-Kelly said. “You felt the loss on a very personal level.”

Back in Brooklyn, Stiles-Kelly reached out to a Catholic university in the area who helped prepare the parish school staff affected by the closures for the job market.

“It worked very well,” she said. “I attended a conference at Boston College this past September that involved Catholic colleges and universities across the country, including Fordham. Father Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, and Father William F. Leahy, S.J., president of Boston College, spoke about what Catholic colleges and universities can and can’t do for K—12 Catholic schools. So I knew Fordham would be willing to step up to the plate.”

Stiles-Kelly hopes the event will attract staff from the 27 Roman Catholic schools slated for closure.

“The Graduate School of Education has a special relationship with all of the schools in the Archdiocese of New York because we offer a religious school scholarship for people working in faith-based schools,” Stiles-Kelly said.

GSE staff will help attendees gain information about strategies and techniques for job searching and resume writing.

Linda Horisk, assistant dean of admissions and enrollment management at GSE, said the workshop is going to include a discussion and strategies for transitions. That portion will be presented by Annette McLaughlin, a human resources and development professional for more than 22 years, who provides career counseling through the Office of Career Services at Fordham.

“We’re asking attendees to bring a resume,” Horisk said. “We’ll discuss current issues in education today, information about core competencies in education, job search strategies and technique with an emphasis on technology and some networking.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Linda Horisk at [email protected].

The schedule for events is as follows:

Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m.
Fordham University Westchester Campus
400 Westchester Avenue West Harrison, NY 10604

Wednesday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m.
12th Floor Lounge
Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus
113 West 60th Street New York, NY 10023