Educational Studies Faculty Lead Professional Development Session for Ukrainian Catholic University

Seton Hall University faculty presented a professional development session on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, for colleagues at Ukrainian Catholic University, further strengthening the academic collaboration between the two institutions.

James Daly, Ed.D., was invited by Halyna Kurochka of Ukrainian Catholic University’s Center for Foreign Modern Languages to lead the virtual session, which focused on teaching and learning practices in the United States. He was joined by Paul Maloney, a retired teacher from the Cranford Public Schools and an adjunct professor in the College of Human Development, Culture and Media.

The presentation addressed the current state of education in the United States, focusing on New Jersey. This provided context for a broader discussion about the challenges facing educators and schools.

Faculty at Ukrainian Catholic University had previously expressed interest in two instructional models used within Seton Hall’s Secondary Education Program: "Understanding by Design" and "Project Zero." Both research-based approaches emphasize student engagement and aim to make thinking visible in the classroom. The session explored how these frameworks promote learning through backward planning, interactive routines and student-led demonstrations of understanding.

Ukrainian Catholic University faculty raised questions about how schools in the United States address diversity in communities and classrooms and the effects of unequal funding and achievement gaps. The conversation also covered how teacher preparation programs can equip future educators to navigate such challenges, including the impact of shifting policy decisions on schools and universities.

The meeting concluded with interest in expanding collaborative opportunities between Seton Hall and Ukrainian Catholic University. Building on recent student-focused exchanges involving collaborative coursework and focused on conversational language practice, both institutions expressed a desire to continue growing their academic partnership.

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