One teacher from each of the 23 Catholic schools in the diocese received an award for Excellence in Catholic Education. The diocesan Office of Catholic Schools hosted the awards dinner April 25 at St. Michael the Archangel, Glen Allen. Bishop Barry C. Knestout celebrated Mass at 4:15 p.m., and the awards ceremony was preceded by a happy hour and dinner for award winners and guests.
Four teachers were selected for special awards. Kristin Baxley, of Roanoke Catholic School; Jenni Gray, of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School; and Kristin Patterson, of Catholic High School, all received diocesan awards. Emily Pauler, of Portsmouth Catholic Regional School, was awarded the top honor, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award.
“Catholic schoolteachers are not known for wanting the spotlight, but each of you shined very bright, and we’re very grateful for your service,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Bigelow told the group.
“There is a great practicality to Catholic education and the work you do each day,” said Bishop Knestout in his homily. “You’re struggling with day-to-day trials: [students’] gifts, temperaments, personalities, and the whole range of human experiences.”
“There’s something so beautiful and so good about Catholic education,” he added. “People are drawn towards it, and it’s a beautiful mission with a great impact.”
Pauler is the middle school theology teacher at Portsmouth Catholic, as well as the physical education teacher for Pre-K through eighth grade. She said that she emphasizes to her students that for all Christians, the key is to follow Jesus and recognize him in others.
“We have a mixed bag of kids, but we remind them that we all have our different traditions, and following Jesus is what we do,” said Pauler.
AWARDS
Angela Rasmussen, All Saints Catholic School
Kristin Patterson, Catholic High School
Michael Bruscia, Charlottesville Catholic School
Amanda Owens, Christ the King Catholic School
Charlotte Jenkins, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Jenni Gray, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School
Peggy Rogala, Peninsula Catholic High School
Emily Pauler, Portsmouth Catholic School
Kristin Baxley, Roanoke Catholic School
Kitzya Ramirez Leon, Sacred Heart Catholic School
Anne Johnson, St. Anne Catholic School
Erin Herrity, Saint Benedict Catholic School
Teresa Ross McBarron, Saint Bridget Catholic School
Magdalena F. Cox, St. Edward-Epiphany Catholic School
Lorri Lin Griffin, Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School
Eileen M. Mayette, St. John the Apostle Catholic School
Renee Fraine, St. Joseph Catholic School
Denise O. Reardon, Saint Mary’s Catholic School
Sr. Mary Aquinas Halbmaier, O.P., Saint Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School
Michelle Powell, St. Matthew’s Catholic School
Emily Danovich, St. Pius X Catholic School
Annette J. Martinez, Star of the Sea Catholic School
Meg Anderson, The Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School
Diocesan Awards
Kristin Baxley, Roanoke Catholic School
Jenni Gray, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School
Kristin Patterson, Catholic High School
Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
Emily Pauler, Portsmouth Catholic Regional School
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