On Thursday, March 21, 2024, Catholic Central faculty attended professional development training hosted by Licensed Clinical Therapist, Leah-Mills Chapman, LMSW. Students had a half day of school, and the training was held in the afternoon. 

Mills-Chapman, also known as “The Mental Reconstructionist,” is a two-time graduate of the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. She holds a BA in Psychology and African American Studies and a Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health, and Interpersonal Practice. 

During the workshop, staff held discussions about culture within CC from both faculty and student’s perspectives. The goal was to further the conversation regarding the importance of recognizing cultural differences in our school community. 

Much of the conversation centered around the challenge of recognizing both implicit and explicit biases, and some of the ways this may impact interactions between faculty and staff and the students. The concept of cultural humility also came into play, emphasizing the importance of remaining curious and accessible to all of our students.

Fr. Fulton summed up the presentation nicely at the end, thanking Mills-Chapman for her time and for reminding us of the powerful saying from the Basilian Patron Saint John Bosco that “it is not enough that teachers love their students. The students must know they are loved.”