Igniting the Spark!

The Spark Conference: LCA Reignites Creativity and Innovation in Elementary Education

Lakewood Catholic Academy is a leader in elementary education and provides professional development opportunities for other Catholic school educators and administrators. In 2018, LCA created The Spark Conference and it has become one of Cleveland’s largest conferences for Catholic elementary educators. This annual August event is a one day professional development experience that inspires and energizes teachers for the school year ahead.  The event features both nationally recognized leaders in education as well as breakout sessions led by Lakewood Catholic Academy teachers and administrators. In addition to showcasing the work of our brilliant LCA teachers, this event generates important revenue for the school that is reinvested in our own creative and innovative programming for our students and families and resources for our teachers.  

This year’s Spark Conference was held on our beautiful campus where we welcomed over 450 educators from Northeast Ohio. We are grateful for underwriting support from The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland.  Spark 2021 showcased diverse leadership and talent with guest presenters Kayla August, Nyla Watson and Ron Clark, who is a NYTimes Best Selling Author, and Disney’s American Teacher of the Year.

In the words of Spark Attendees . . .

“Thank you for your incredible work at the Spark Conference! It was an amazing experience again! May God Bless you and thank you for your YES in serving the teachers in our Diocese.”

“Thank you for creating and hosting the premier event of the 21-22 school year. Your staff is to be commended for their extraordinary dedication to duty and devotion to our craft. As always, it was a day of unparalleled inspiration.”

“Once again, the Spark Conference did not disappoint! It has become my favorite way to kick off the new school year. The upbeat and positive messaging provides such an affirming feeling for the work that we do as well as inspire all in attendance to do our best for our students.”

Thank you very much for planning such an awesome professional development day for teachers in our state.  The speakers were excellent.  The energy was palpable.  The excitement was just what we needed to start the year!  Thank you for sharing your vision and expertise with so many teachers who otherwise would not have access to such first-class training.”

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