February 16 and 17, 2023
Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre
Seeking Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation
The Catholic Educators Conference (CEC) is held each year to provide opportunity for the spiritual and professional growth of Catholic educators, for the development of Christian community, and to provide leadership in the development of a dynamic, evangelistic school system.
CEC 2023 Highlights
We are eagerly anticipating the celebration of our 43rd annual Catholic Educators’ Conference, “Seeking Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation” as an in-person event, the first since February 2020. This wonderful, long-standing tradition is one of the highlights of the school year and is a reminder of our shared participation in the evangelizing mission of Christ’s Church.
Our two-day conference will once again be held at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre in downtown Vancouver.
DAY ONE will begin with Morning Mass and then an opportunity to be engaged by our Opening General Session speakers – Kevin Lamoureux, a dedicated teacher who is strengthening The University of Winnipeg’s mission to reach out to non-traditional students and provide more pathways into post-secondary education. As a gifted and engaged instructor with the Faculty of Education, Kevin has developed expertise in groundbreaking mentorship and inclusion programs as well as governance models within Aboriginal education. These programs provide an opportunity for students from Winnipeg’s inner city with non-traditional academic backgrounds to become teachers, through academic supports, counselling services, cultural teachings, and a warm supportive environment.
Kevin has become a well-known professional development speaker for school divisions, government agencies and community groups. He recently authored Inclusion in Partnership which offers a guide for teachers looking to include Aboriginal perspectives into their classrooms. He was lead author of Mentoring in a Canadian Context (2008) which is based on the belief that all children deserve to be engaged, challenged, and supported, and that teachers can play a vital role in preventing youth from falling between the cracks. His expertise in building school climates where Aboriginal students and all non-traditional students will be successful is sought after in numerous keynote speaking engagements.
Kevin is nurturing a new generation of teachers who will create classrooms where all students can enjoy success, including troubled children and youth and Aboriginal students.
After a break with a visit to our vendors, attendees can select from among three outstanding breakout sessions – which includes: Carolyn Roberts, Len Pierre, and Father Matthew Schneider, among others.
Our day will conclude with a Social Hour in our Vendor Area.
DAY TWO, following Morning Prayer, our 2nd General Session speaker, Sarah Hart, an award-winning musician and songwriter located in Nashville, Tennessee. Hart graduated with a degree in music theory and contemporary composition from The Ohio State University. Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Sarah works as a singer-songwriter writing music for television, film, audiobooks, pop, rock, but mostly Contemporary Christian music and hymns. She has cited that, “If you have faith in something bigger than yourself, then whatever you do in life, that belief is going to leak into all of it.” Hart’s hymns are published by Oregon Catholic Press.
Following the break, we will gather once again for our Closing General Session speaker, Mike Patin, the “Engagin’ Cajun”- Mike uses energy, humour, and stories to remind people of God’s presence among us while inviting others (and himself) to take the “next step” in our journey with God. Mike has spent over 35 years serving the church as a high school teacher, coach, diocesan staff person, and youth minister. When Mike is asked how he likes to be introduced, his response is “as a man of hope & a struggling disciple of the Risen Jesus.”
Our Conference will end as we celebrate the Eucharist at our Closing Mass.
Our two-day conference schedule is as follows:
Please watch for further details including attendee and vendor registration to be posted on this website.
