LHSSA Faculty Invests in Professional Growth

Lutheran High School of San Antonio's commitment to pursuing excellence was on full display this month as faculty members participated in specialized professional development designed to enhance student learning and support.

On Friday, November 7, the entire LHSSA faculty gathered for a professional development session led by UnboundED, focusing on a powerful approach to teaching: leveraging students' "funds of knowledge" to strengthen academic learning.

The core message was clear—when teachers intentionally get to know their students on a deeper level and connect learning to their lived experiences, engagement and understanding flourish. The session challenged faculty to move beyond surface-level relationships and discover the rich assets, experiences, and community knowledge that each student brings to the classroom.

Teachers worked through a structured planning process that asked them to consider:

• What assets and lived experiences do students bring that can strengthen their academic learning?
• How can student assets be embedded into grade-level tasks while maintaining rigor?
• What evidence shows that these connections are strengthening student learning?

The approach emphasizes practical strategies, such as differentiated choice boards for assignments and assessments, which allow students to connect their learning to their own experiences and strengths. The goal isn't to connect every lesson to every student—that would be impossible—but to ensure that with reasonable frequency, every student can connect meaningfully to multiple lessons throughout the year.

Faculty left the session with a clear mission:

• Reflect on whose knowledge shows up—and whose doesn't—in lessons
• Recognize opportunities to connect learning to students' lived experiences
• Revise lessons so student assets deepen—not replace—grade-level rigor
• Celebrate students' community knowledge and lived experiences as sources of strength

In addition to the whole-faculty training, LHSSA sent two key staff members to deepen their expertise in special education support. Liesel Urban, Dean of Student Success, and Amelia Hessong, a second-year mathematics teacher, attended the Herzog Foundation's Special Education training.

The Herzog Foundation Institute provides specialized training through three series—Leadership Development, Organizational Development, and Teacher Development—all designed to sustain growth in Christian education. The special education training equips educators with strategies and resources to better serve students with diverse learning needs within a Christ-centered educational framework.

This investment in specialized training reflects LHSSA's commitment to ensuring all students receive the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.

These professional development opportunities represent more than just required training hours—they demonstrate LHSSA's dedication to nurturing faith and pursuing excellence with our students. By investing in faculty growth, the school ensures that teachers have the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to create classrooms where every student is known, valued, and challenged to lead lives of impact to the glory of Jesus Christ. 
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As LHSSA faculty implement these new strategies and insights, the entire Mustang community benefits from educators who are committed to both excellence and equity in the classroom.