A Case Study: The Impact of An Immersion Experience on the Vocation of Lay Teacher-Leaders in American Jesuit High Schools
type: CreativeWork
description: The purpose of this case study explores the impact of an immersion experience to a least developed country on the vocation of lay teacher leaders in American Jesuit High Schools. Nine lay teacher leaders engaged in a four stage process of immersion from November 2009 to August 2010. The study employed the conceptual framework of Edward Hahnenberg's, "Awakening Vocation" to develop a self-understanding of a lay teacher leader's call. The writings of Paulo Freire, Fredrick Buechner and Parker Palmer informed the study's exploration of vocation. Poetry from Mary Oliver and William Stafford functioned as a method for articulating a lay teacher leader's vocation both before and after the immersion to Dodoma Tanzania. The following themes were found to influence a lay teacher leader's vocation through an immersion experience: Reverence for solitude, a unique process of self-discovery, motivation to work in an institution with a mission of Men and Women for others, solidarity with the poor and development of adaptability skills. A checklist for institutions seeking to impact a lay teacher leader's vocation through professional development was generated as a summary of the immersion experience in this case study.
abstract: The purpose of this case study explores the impact of an immersion experience to a least developed country on the vocation of lay teacher leaders in American Jesuit High Schools. Nine lay teacher leaders engaged in a four stage process of immersion from November 2009 to August 2010. The study employed the conceptual framework of Edward Hahnenberg's, "Awakening Vocation" to develop a self-understanding of a lay teacher leader's call. The writings of Paulo Freire, Fredrick Buechner and Parker Palmer informed the study's exploration of vocation. Poetry from Mary Oliver and William Stafford functioned as a method for articulating a lay teacher leader's vocation both before and after the immersion to Dodoma Tanzania. The following themes were found to influence a lay teacher leader's vocation through an immersion experience: Reverence for solitude, a unique process of self-discovery, motivation to work in an institution with a mission of Men and Women for others, solidarity with the poor and development of adaptability skills. A checklist for institutions seeking to impact a lay teacher leader's vocation through professional development was generated as a summary of the immersion experience in this case study.
author: Schreiber, Martin Joseph
keywords: Immersion, Motivation, Poor, Reflection, Teacher, Vocation, Educational Administration and Supervision
date published: 2012-01-01T08:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:55:31Z
provider: Loyola University Chicago
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Loyola University Chicago