A New Year, A New Adventure

A New Year, A New Adventure

This presentation, delivered by Sr. John Dominic, O.P., to Catholic educators in the Diocese of Arlington, introduces the Education in Virtue and Raised in Grace programs as a unified framework for forming students in virtue by combining Catholic anthropology with the neuroscience of child development. It covers the theology of grace and virtue, the biology of co-regulation and secure attachment, and how "education" (drawing out a student's gifts) and "formation" (shaping character and faith) work together in daily classroom practice, illustrated with grade-specific lesson examples from elementary science through high school literature. As a training resource, it functions as both a theological grounding and a practical toolkit for teachers navigating student anxiety, fragmentation, and disconnection in the classroom. Educators leave with a shared vocabulary of virtue, an understanding of co-regulation as a concrete relational tool, and ready-to-use lesson ideas tied to specific virtues across subjects and grade levels. Ultimately, it lays the foundation for equipping teachers to build the safety and secure relationships that neuroscience and Catholic tradition both identify as the foundation for genuine learning and formation, helping them meet students' emotional and spiritual needs while succeeding in their vocation as educators.