and ab tradition and a local hello. on behalf of the archdiocese of san francisco, welcome to mosaic here today we will talk about education, and a local educational treasure that many of us may not know much about. these are catholic schools. this tradition of local catholic education began more than a century and a half ago. catholic schools have been here since the beginning of the city. today, throughout the three counties of the san francisco archdiocese, there are catholic schools in many neighborhoods,

and many zip codes, offering education from preschool, elementary school to high school. more than 60 schools, i believe, and serving about 25,000 students. we will look at the facts and find out more. our guest today is pamela lyons, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese of san francisco. we will find out what catholic schools have been doing, whom they serve, how do they serve and how can they adapt to changing educational needs. if you are interested in catholic education, you will find out more and find out about how you can help. please join us to meet pamela lyons, superintendent of schools and learn about the educational treasures in our neighborhood.

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can i call you pam? >> absolutely. >> she is the superintendent of schools for the archdiocese of san francisco. you have worked at the archdiocese for a while. for your appointment as superintendent is new? >> that is right. i just completed my third month in the position. prior to that, i was an associate superintendent for about two and half years. in that capacity, i worked primarily with our catechetical faith formation program for our elementary school teachers. we are catholic schools. we want to make sure that all of our teachers know absolutely everything they can about catholic identity and about their catholic faith so they can pass that on to students. i also worked on the accreditation program. all the schools and the archdiocese of san francisco are dual credited through wcea which is the western catholic education association and the western association for schools and colleges. >> i have heard about double

the accreditation for catholic schools. >> yes. we are very proud of that. i ran that program for two and a half years. i also implemented -- worked on the implementation of the new testing system for elementary schools called, renaissance star. it is a very short test students take on the computer that will sort of check in with them on their math and reading skills. it allows teachers to give the test several times a year. and they can see the progress and the growth which is what we are really interested in. and if they see an area that needs help with a particular student, they can go in and work with that particular student on what their needs might be. we are very proud that we implemented that system. >> that sounds great. i have heard you referred to as a person that is data driven. you want to make sure you have the right fact. based on those, you take the right action. >> tell me about your own

career. >> first of all, catholic education has been a huge part of my life. i attended catholic schools from 1st grade all the way through graduate school. for four years, my family lived in london and i even attended a catholic school in london. catholic schools played a very big part of my life. >> you said catholic college -- you went to? >> st. mary's where i got my undergrad and my teaching credentials. then i went to a program called the leadership program to the university of notre dame where i just -- where i received a masters degree in educational leadership and my administrative credentials. >> you have been a catholic school teacher? >> i have. >> and a principal? >> i have. i started in the diocese of oakland where i was a teacher. i taught everything from second grade to junior high. i became a principal of a school called, assumption. i was principal there for nine years. before moving over to the archdiocese of san francisco. >> i think you had a corporate career between these teaching

stents? >> i did. i left teaching for a while. i was about to turn 30. i wanted to see you at the business world was like. i left teaching for a while and works for a tech company where i was a technical trainer. i enjoyed it. i traveled a lot. in my heart, i missed education and particularly catholic education. with that experience, i was able to bring the business experience into my role as a principal and then to my role as a superintendent which has been beneficial. >> that sounds great. people that have a skill for instructing children is one thing. people that can sustain and manage institutions, how do you combine those skills? >> it takes a different skill set. i was very fortunate. >> let me ask about the context in your job -- i mentioned some statistics i found somewhere about schools does what is the real

statistical picture of archdiocese and? >> in the archdiocese of san francisco, we serve a little more than 24,500 students. we have 48 elementary schools and four high schools that are part of the archdiocese. and within the archdiocese, we have eight elementary schools and 10 high schools run by orders of sisters or different congregations. so that is sort of the makeup of the archdiocese. >> an interesting diversity. the archdiocese owns some schools. other congregations on their schools. >> yes. a lot of choices. >> and preschool programs? >> we have about 21 preschools. many are associated with elementary schools. some are just parish schools. that is growing. the number is growing. >> you have schools in the poorest neighborhoods and in the richest neighborhoods. a

diversity of people are welcome to the schools? >> absolutely. catholic education began in the united states to serve immigrant populations. that is important to us, that we continue to serve all of our students. not just one section of the population. >> let me ask this. you welcome non-catholic families to your school? >> we do. we have about 28% of the students that are not catholic. so while we are definitely catholic schools and we teach religion every day and we have a rich sacramental life. we certainly welcome non-catholic students and they participate in religion classes and sacramental life. and they also bring something different and unique to that experience. the absolutely welcome those students and their families into the communities. >> interesting. you have a large need for financial aid, i believe, because you are not drawing from the richest population. what is the picture on

financial aid? >> we are fortunate in the archdiocese because we have a program. it is a family grant program, where families in need can apply through the archdiocesan family grant program. last year, for the 2016 slash 2017 school year, we were able to award 1.2 million dollars in tuition assistance. >> annual? >> correct. we are very fortunate that -- years ago, that someone had the foresight to start this endowment that we are able to draw from to support our students. >> that is wonderful. i would like to learn more about that and ways where people can support. we will talk more about the successes of the catholic schools and what they have been and what kind of innovations you are looking at now to improve. we will be back after this brief break with more from pamela lyons and the catholic school.

hello. we are back with pamela, superintendent of schools for the archdiocese of san francisco talking about catholic schools today. you just mentioned a very large outlay of financial aid to families in need. i wanted to find out from you what the catholic schools, as a group, are doing. i know they are diverse and individualistic. what are they offering in terms of educational innovation or educational excellence? >> i think a lot of people think of catholic schools as, not being very innovative or up on the latest -- sort of the latest research on what works. but we are actually doing a lot of very innovative things in our schools that i am very excited about. of course, catholic identity is always at the center of what we do. >> that is highly important. >> it really dictates

everything from the budget to the curriculum to how we discipline students. it permeates everything we do with catholic schools. >> i think it is a major part does the burden of running a catholic school -- that the secular school only teaches secular subjects. you have to teach all of those, do it well and add a thorough grounding in the catholic element. >> and integrate that through all of the subjects. it is not just that we are -- a public school with a religion class. >> and hard-working teachers. >> very hard-working. our teachers and principals are at the catholic schools because they truly believe in catholic education. they want to be there. they are some of the most dedicated and dynamic people i have had the opportunity to work with. >> and you are going to tell us about their training with what they are doing with that and their professional qualifications as well. there is a notion that catholic school teachers don't have teaching credentials or certifications but that is a

myth. >> absolutely. all of our teachers have those either california teaching credentials or are in a program to get the california credential. some have credentials from out of date and still have to get the california credential. many of our teachers and principals have advanced degrees -- masters degrees. we even have somewhat doctorates. for educating our teachers is very important to us. >> tell me more about that. >> we have some very exciting partnerships with two particular groups that we just started last year. one is with the sephia institute which provides catechetical training for elementary school teachers. and we had a class last year and we are offering several this year. we are very excited about that. our high schools, we have been talking and partnering with notre dame, my allah motto. and we created an institute for teachers of science and

religion and high school. and how science and religion are compatible. a lot of people, particularly younger people, see the two as being mutually exclusive. we want to educate our teachers so they understand that actually they are not two separate things. that religion and science do go together, particularly in the catholic tradition. >> and you had a summer program on this? >> we did. we had about 63 teachers come to the seminary where we held the first institute. it was very successful. we were very pleased. >> and we have a big scientific community in the area. i know there are some catholic scientists and researchers around this area. >> absolutely. we are already looking to plan the next institute day. we will definitely tap into some of that talent. >> that sounds great. you told me about some other innovative classroom behaviors. i'm a certain age. we went to a classroom and

reset at rows of desks and we opened a book. that was about it. there was chalk. you mentioned something called maker's face. >> we are preparing students for a very different world then we were preparing students for even 50 years ago. even when i went to school. so we need to innovate does change the way we teach does the basics obviously are very important. they are not going away. we need to prepare students to work in an environment where they will be working collaboratively with other people. there are very few jobs where you just sit by yourself in a cubicle. they need to problem solve and think creatively. and all of those skills -- we live very close to silicon valley. those are the skills these companies are looking for. many of our schools have really taken a look at how they are educating students and started to make changes. makers face is a perfect example.

it is a room where students can come together. they can create things. they can use technology or laser printers. they can problem solve. typically, what you will see is -- maybe a math class or science class, the students are given a large problem and they need to figure it out. it is digging into the knowledge they have received to solve problems and create things. and to work together. many of our schools are moving in that direction. we have many schools with robotics programs. >> i have seen this in high schools. >> and we have several elementary schools that have implemented robotics and coding. we want to meet the needs of the students, obviously spiritually, but also academically, so when they go out in the world -- i always say they can change the world on their way to heaven. that is our goal. >> that is a good motto. >> the goal for every student is through secondary education

and college. >> absolutely. our students -- i don't have an exact statistic. but it is about 95% of our students go on to a numb four- year college. so we are very proud of that. we have wonderful high schools that are college preparatory. >> and you have alumni that come back, visit and to talk about their experiences in the world? >> we do. we have many alumni that go back to teach at our schools. that is very common. we also have situations where we have three generations that have gone to the same goal. there is that pride -- it is more than just going to a school. it is a community. it is a lifestyle. it is part of their life. it is really nice to see. >> and the talented alumni are not coming back to high-paying jobs. they're coming back to classroom teaching jobs. >> right. but there is that passion there.

that sense of really making a difference in a student's life. >> that is important. when we come back, we will talk about what is attractive to the schools and why parents choose them and the benefits. will be back in just a moment with more from pam lyons. [music]

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we'd do anything for kids. yet 1 in 6 children in the us struggle with hunger. help end childhood hunger near you. learn how at feedingamerica.org. hello and welcome back. we are talking about catholic schools in the archdiocese of san francisco with pamela lyons, the superintendent of schools. we are talking about academic excellence and innovative ways of doing things. there is also a full array of extracurricular programs took there is art. >> absolutely. our schools -- even when a lot of the public schools were downsizing, -- we feel we want to educate the whole child. and art is such an important part of that education.

our schools still have music and fine art. some have drama. the high schools have very rich art programs. i think it is really important that we keep that in the schools . >> you are educating the whole person, i think. >> absolutely. and it helps us reach a child on a spiritual level that most schools can't really go there. so it is something we really appreciate. >> i think that is true. you are concerned for the entirety of the human person. and for deeper matters that kind of have to stay undiscussed in the secular realm. >> right. >> what about the schools attracts families? if you do a survey -- what are the reasons people give for being in this? >> the reason we do surveys

-- two things always come out. the top thing is the community. our schools offer a community for the whole family. it also revolves around a church activity and around service activities and social activities. it is a real community. many of our parents -- when i was principal, they would say -- they came in, in kindergarten and that is when they met their best friend. and then when the kids graduated -- it really is a wonderful community. also, a sense of safety and a sense that their children are cared for and nurtured -- really as individuals, as god's beloved children. that is really important. obviously, a parent wants their child to be cared for. we are able to create a safe and nurturing environment. >> i heard this about a certain catholic school. i said, why did you go from the public school to the catholic school. and they said, my parents knew i wouldn't fall through the? . >> i think that is correct.

>> and they got that education at the catholic school . >> that is correct. typically, we have 21st greater 22nd grades. we are not dealing with a huge number of students. so the students are able to be given more attention. our teachers and principals are there because they want to make a difference in these children's lives. so they take the time to really get to know the students and figure out -- how can i meet the student as an individual, not just a class of 28 students . >> very interesting. so you are the new superintendent. what are the initiatives? how is your department going and what is your mission? >> i'm very excited. we have three new associate superintendents starting this month. one is coming from within the archdiocese of san francisco. she was a principal. i have two coming from outside.

it is kind of a nice balance of staying with the good things we are doing in the archdiocese and bringing in new ideas and innovation. we are really looking at him for areas of schools. obviously, catholic identity is always the very first thing we want to look at. they focus on that at all times. also, academic excellence. very important in the schools. for catholic schools, we have an even greater responsibility for academic excellence in all of our schools. we also need to look at stewardship, as far as enrollment and finances and how do schools make the most of the funds they have. and then, what is the organizational structure of the schools. i think we need to look at different models. the traditional models of a parish school -- it is a strain sometimes on a pastor and having a

principal. different models and governance is something we like to take a look at. >> do you look elsewhere to find best practices? what is the state-of-the-art? >> i think, traditionally, our diocese has been a little sigh load. in california, we are working to break those open. all of the superintendents -- there are 12 superintendents. >> in the diocese of california? >> yes. and the diocese of california. we meet regularly. we have conference calls. we work very closely with the california conference of bishops on different types of legislation that might be coming up that might affect our schools. we are trying to get out of our own little silos and work together as a team. >> that is very important. and their professional associations of private schools that include catholic schools. >> yes.

i am a board member. so i think it is so important. >> very reputable organizations. >> they do wonderful work. i cannot emphasize enough the importance of leadership. leadership in our schools -- it is really one of the most important aspects of the success of a school. we have many initiatives that we are focusing on next year around leadership. so around forming our new leaders. having a three-year induction program where they work with people from my office to make sure they have the skills it takes. as we said earlier, it is not just being a teacher. >> if you don't have the skills, you can do the job. >> and i want you to tell them the message you want people to take away from this interview. >> join us. we have a lot of exciting things happening in the catholic schools. if you have never considered catholic schools -- look on our website and search for a school. come join the wonderful work happening in the archdiocese of

san francisco. >> not only parents with children but volunteers. >> absolutely. there is a lot of need for tuition assistance. we just want people to experience the wonderful community that is our catholic schools. >> thank you for being with us. and thank you for being with us on mosaic.

"power couple" in the studio this morning. what a morning. welcome. on this sunday morning, to transfer. i'm your host, roberta gonzales. we have a great show for you today. we have an entertainment power couple in the studios this morning. golden globe and oscar- nominated actress anne archer -- is the founder of, human rights. and her husband is the author of, a trial, a prisoner. welcome to transfer. what an honor and privilege to have you here in the studios. >> thank you