New Lens of Teaching and Learning

COVID forced a shift in how excellence in teaching is viewed - or if it didn’t happen that way, it should have. Over the past two years, schools needed to quickly shift their teaching model to meet students’ needs, depending on the specific circumstances of their school and the students themselves. Whether hybrid teaching, completely virtual/remote, or in-person wearing a mask and social distancing with students, delivery of instruction changed. Students adapted accordingly to the mode of instruction, with many proceeding throughout the last school year remotely learning from home. In their bedrooms or kitchens, or perhaps public libraries and community centers, students recognized that being present for class meant logging into a digital classroom, participating in a small group breakout room or responding in a chat box. They communicated with their teachers via email and virtual conferences, leveraging their overall comfort with using technology and at times, sharing their own knowledge with their teachers.

I recently had the opportunity to visit a middle school language arts class, taught remotely by the teacher (due to a required quarantine) with students both in-person and online from home, also quarantining. The teacher's lesson was a discussion based on the book the group was reading together (A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee). Through the use of student discussion leaders (both in-person and online), clear classroom expectations, established relationships with students and the choice of a highly relatable book, this class was a magical example of student engagement and critical thinking around the topics presented. In many ways, it held all of the components of a great lesson and class discussion that would occur very regularly throughout an ordinary school year. But of course, due to COVID protocols, this is anything but an ordinary school year. At that time I observed active and engaged students volunteering to read and lead the discussion, tackling difficult vocabulary and utilizing critical thinking to understand the author’s intent - all while sitting in the classroom with headphones on, a few on their yoga mats on the floor, and others at home in various spaces. In the classroom, the air conditioner was on full blast that day, so students wrapped in sweaters and blankets, some sitting on the windowsill to get warmer in the sun. They muted and unmuted themselves to participate, virtually raising their hands or waving to catch the attention of the discussion leader.

It is indeed a “new normal” of viewing great education. If you were looking for rows of desks with students quietly listening to a teacher lecture at the front of the room - this was not that class! However, if you were looking to see an example of an exceptional teacher leading a group of actively engaged students critically analyzing literature, this was that class! Looking through the lens of great teaching under differing circumstances, this was truly the joyful pursuit of learning.

Out of School Time Enrichment

As a part of our extended day program, we offer a number of Out of School Time (OST) learning opportunities through partnerships with local organizations that are dedicated to creating space for students to explore. Students take ownership of their learning, while discovering their passion.

• The Washington Ballet is an ensemble of dancers in Washington, DC. At THEARC, our students train weekly and practice classical ballet. They also have the opportunity to audition for children's roles within the company's productions. This year, two of our students are part of The Nutcracker production! Reserve your tickets here.

• Quantom Studios offers a wide range of technology programs to reduce the digital divide. Students learn basic concepts of computer programming to include graphic design and block coding.

• DC Swim is an aquatics program that offers swimming lessons and free swim after school.

• Project Create provides accessible art education through multi-disciplinary art practices using various media.

• ARTreach offers visual arts education that promotes social-emotional learning. Some of the student programs include creative writing, drama, art, and music.

• The Levine School of Music is a preeminent center for music education with a well rounded focus on the foundation of music. Students explore a variety of music genres and the joy of performing.

• DC Scores teaches soccer with a mission of building confidence on the field, in the classroom and life.

Celebrating Black Catholic Month

November is Black Catholic History Month! All month long we are celebrating the vibrant history of the Black Catholic community during Morning Prayer and in Religion class.

DeMetria White is our Religion Teacher and Director of Campus Ministry, in her ninth year at WSG and her second in her current role. Ms. White’s journey into the faith was a deeply personal one: her late mother was baptized into the Catholic church as an adult, shortly before her death. Driven by a desire to stay spiritually connected with her mother, Ms. White sought out the opportunity to regularly attend Catholic mass with an aunt, one of few in her family who actively practiced religion. So began a deep and ever evolving relationship with God and the Catholic Church. As she grew older, she explored other Christian denominations by attending church with friends, but found her way back to the Catholic community when she enrolled at Trinity Washington University.

For Ms. White, being Catholic means having a personal relationship with God - and making sure to take the word of God into action. She sees each homily, each scripture reading, each prayer or examen as an opportunity to apply Catholic principles to her own life. The traditions of the Church and its theology are meant to continue beyond Mass and into our everyday lives, how we treat others, and how we decide to live morally and spiritually. This relationship grows stronger each time we engage with our spirituality, and each theological principle is infinitely relevant to our evolving human experience. And most importantly, we must celebrate ourselves as part of God’s creation, as she often tells her students, “you can still be a fun person, you can still have your free will, but you can do it in such a way that you are still amplifying and glorifying God... Those two things can coexist.”

This year, Ms. White began pursuit of her Master’s in Theology from Xavier University’s Institute for Black Catholic Studies. The experience has been an enriching one - being a student again is shaping how she teaches Religion at WSG. Informed by her experience as the only woman in her cohort, she has been thinking more intentionally about how to help our girls see themselves in the Bible and see the value that they have as members of the Church. And as an educator during an era of polarization, she focuses on ensuring students dive into the complexities of religious teachings to better understand the context. She explains, “We tend to weaponize the bible, pulling out pieces to prove our point and ignoring the verses before and after that might give more depth and nuance to our understanding.” She hopes her students will learn to take a more holistic approach to their faith practice throughout their lives.