Maureen’s Message: Teen Brain Growth
When students learn to listen, connect, and care, they are literally shaping their brains toward kindness and compassion. This is why peer relationships become so significant to your teenager. They are learning to honor vulnerability, value perspective, and build meaningful connections. It’s a process that is alive and well at Miege.
By: Principal Maureen Engen
Giving thanks for every gift at Bishop Miege
It is so refreshing to work at a Catholic school where we remember, and are reminded, that we teach humans; we learn subjects. This morning at Mass, it was emphasized that everything we do is for and from the Creator. That is a humbling statement, since our human nature so often wants to take credit for the good we do.
Most of the time, we do tend to give ourselves credit. It takes practice to develop a humble heart and a lot of grace to fully live out the truth that in Jesus we live and move and have our being. At the same time, I want to give credit where it is due: to our teachers, counselors, support staff and coaches for their goodness and dedication, and to our students for their many accomplishments, which have made us Niche’s #1 Catholic High School in Kansas. All of this, however, can only be rightly understood when we recognize that God our Father is the catalyst, the Creator, the Maker, the reason we exist. God alone suffices, and we are blessed to carry out His mission here at Bishop Miege.
Fostering faith and learning at Miege
At Miege, this belief is not only what we profess, it’s what we practice. You see it in the daily rhythm of morning prayer, in the conversations teachers have with students when they are struggling, and in the culture of dignity we strive to cultivate in our hallways. You see it in the Herd System that fosters friendship with God and with others. These are tangible signs of what we value as a community of faith.
It is also a good question for all of us to ponder, parents and educators alike. How can we best help our students experience the most formative and faith-filled four years of their lives?
Helping teen brains grow with kindness
This week our teachers attended a workshop presented by the Greater Kansas City Writing Project. The focus resonated deeply:
“Believe it or not, there’s never been a better time to be a teacher than right now. Truly. We now know more about how our brains learn, and how to support learning, than at any point in human history.”
The session was interactive and inspiring, filled with writing and discussion centered on how to help students “remodel” their brains with kindness and compassion. I’d like to share a brief 4-minute video with you about the adolescent brain. It is well worth your time and beautifully breaks down how we can work together to provide our students the best Catholic high school experience.
The video offers insight into how a teen’s brain is remodeling itself, pruning away what’s unnecessary in order to focus on passions, purpose, and relationships. At Bishop Miege, in partnership with you as parents, we take part in this remodeling process by helping integrate insight and empathy into daily experiences. When students learn to listen, connect, and care, they are literally shaping their brains toward kindness and compassion. This is why peer relationships become so significant to your teenager. They are learning to honor vulnerability, value perspective, and build meaningful connections. It’s a process that is alive and well at Miege.
As we walk this journey together, let’s remember that everything we do is for and from the Creator. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or at home, our shared mission is to help students see that every act of learning and loving is a reflection of God’s grace working in them. Thank you for being our partners in this sacred work of formation of mind, heart, and soul. May we continue to model humility, gratitude, and faith for our young people, who remind us daily of God’s creative and transforming love.