January 7, 2019 // Schools
Jan. 7 Featured Light of Learning Award Winners!
Each week, Today’s Catholic will be featuring some of our amazing 2019 Light of Learning award winners! To meet other winners, click here.
Elizabeth Murphy, St. Pius X, Granger
School Grade/Subject You Teach
Kindergarten
How many years have you been a teacher?
This is my seventh year teaching kindergarten at Saint Pius X Catholic School.
Did you attend Catholic school?
Yes, as a student I attended St. Bavo in Mishawaka for 6th-8th grade and Marian High School (‘06).
What is the most rewarding thing about teaching in a Catholic School?
I find the sense of community here at Saint Pius X and the ability to live my faith daily with my students the most rewarding aspects of teaching in a Catholic school. I am able to connect with my students in a way I otherwise couldn’t if we were not praying and living our faith together. As a parishioner and a teacher here, I am able to be involved with various ministries that connect me with many different people in our parish, not just my students. It makes me feel truly part of a wonderful group of people.
What do you feel is the Catholic school advantage for students? For you as a teacher?
There are many advantages to a Catholic school education. For me, I believe that we are able to educate the ‘whole child’ as opposed to just their academics or behavior. I am here to nourish not just their mind, but also their body, soul, and heart. I’m not only concerned with their test scores, but also with the kind of person they are becoming. Being able to give my time and talent in this way gives me a real sense of purpose.
Who inspired you to be a teacher?
I have been blessed with many wonderful teachers throughout my childhood. I would say my second-grade teacher was the woman who inspired me the most and first cultivated my desire to become a teacher. She showered us with love and care every day and still managed to make learning fun and exciting, which enhanced my love of school and future desire to become a teacher.
Tell us about a moment when being in a Catholic school environment supported or significantly impacted your work as a teacher.
I feel that the ongoing support of fellow teachers, our pastor, and parishioners during today’s (ongoing) challenges in our world impact my work as a teacher. There’s a united mission we all believe in – the formation of students to prepare them for the world.
From the Principal “Beth Murphy is being nominated for the 2018 Light of Learning Award. Beth is a kindergarten teacher at Saint Pius X Catholic School. Beth relates to each student individually and recognizes the contribution of each child to the class as a whole. She is constantly adding to and revising her content and pedagogical strategies to stay current as a teacher and to meet her students’ needs. Her students adore her and are motivated to shine for her. She never exhibits frustration with her students and always approaches every situation with patience and a smile. She also supports her students outside of the classroom. She is willing to work with students outside of the school day and coordinates opportunities such as Lego Club for the primary grades and Lego camps in the summer. Beyond building rapport with the students, she is dedicated to strengthening the staff’s collegiality with her active involvement in the school social committee. She is an active member of the parish community, regularly attending parish events and participating in and planning for parish groups and activities. Beth exemplifies the qualities of a Light of Learning Award winner and is highly deserving of this honor. Miss Murphy is a servant leader in our school and parish.” – Elaine Holmes, principal
Rachael Fravel, St. Joseph, Decatur
School Grade/Subject You Teach
Kindergarten
How many years have you been a teacher?
I am going into my 11th year of teaching. This will be my 5th year teaching at St. Joseph.
Did you attend Catholic school?
Yes, I attended St. Joseph in Decatur for Kindergarten through 8th grade.
What is the most rewarding thing about teaching in a Catholic School?
The most rewarding part of teaching in a Catholic School is being able to sing God’s praises with my Kindergartners!
What do you feel is the Catholic school advantage for students? For you as a teacher?
Students who attend a Catholic school are so blessed to come into classrooms that are more like small families. Catholic schools hold students and staff to high standards and set both up for success! Being in a school where we can openly share our faith, let’s God work through each and every minute of our lives and we can share these moments with each other.
Who inspired you to be a teacher?
My 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Bixler, and my 5th grade teacher, Ms. Call, were huge inspirations for me. They both were energetic teachers who made learning hands-on and engaging. There was never a dull moment in their classrooms and their love of learning was contagious!
Tell us about a moment when being in a Catholic school environment supported or significantly impacted your work as a teacher.
I have enjoyed so many moments being a part of St. Joseph’s staff. Recently, I was sitting with a student during Mass who struggles with attentiveness. During the Mass, he began to ask me questions about what Fr. Dave was doing. He began to question who was able to receive Jesus during Communion, His enthusiasm for God’s love and curiosity gave me chills. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to share of love of Christ and spark the passion for our Catholic faith during these small moments every day! Our faith is renewed daily through these curious children.
From the Principal “Mrs. Fravel is currently in her fifth year as a teacher at St. Joseph School. She is a person that truly lives her faith. She volunteers and assists in organizing our parish Fall Fest fundraiser, attends Mass each weekend with her family, and fills the school halls and her classroom with an infectious laughter and joy. In the classroom she embraces each student’s unique personality and makes each of them feel special. She is always willing to try new things and to accept the neediest student, meeting them where they are at, and advocating for them without fail. She is on the school improvement committee and serves a unit leader as well. Mrs. Fravel embraces technology and introduces STEM instruction to even our youngest learners. She is patient, loving and kind to her students, as well as, to her coworkers. Mrs. Fravel goes above and beyond to meet the needs of every learner, and no matter how challenging, she meets every situation with a positive can-do attitude.” – Jeffrey Kieffer, principal
Cindy Johnston, St. Stanislaus Kostka, Michigan City
School Grade/Subject You Teach
First Grade
How many years have you been a teacher?
I am currently in my 5th year of teaching.
Did you attend Catholic school?
I attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Lake Station, Indiana for part of my elementary school years.
What is the most rewarding thing about teaching in a Catholic School?
The most rewarding thing about teaching in a Catholic school is the ability to instill Catholic morals and values into my students by putting God at the center of the day. Our faith is intertwined into our daily activities and it is rewarding to watch our students grow in their relationship with God.
What do you feel is the Catholic school advantage for students? For you as a teacher?
In a Catholic school, spiritual and faith formation parallels academic education. Students are given daily opportunities to put Gospel values into practice and support in developing strong character. There is exposure to a strong community (family, faith and church) with which to explore our faith. As a teacher, I enjoy working with students whose families are dedicated to success and want a quality education for their children. They are hard workers and appreciate what it takes to reach academic and personal achievements.
Who inspired you to be a teacher?
My mother and her two sisters were all teachers, so teaching is in my family. I grew up watching their teaching careers unfold and had many conversations about education and the teaching profession. I initially did not go into teaching when I went to college, but I chose a related field working with children. I worked in children’s hospitals as a Child Life Specialist doing psychosocial intervention with patients and their families. I left Child Life to stay at home with my three children when they were young. I went back for my teaching license after my mother passed away, but her spirit and memories of her many years as a teacher inspired me to be the best teacher that I can be for my students.
Tell us about a moment when being in a Catholic school environment supported or significantly impacted your work as a teacher.
Teaching in a Catholic school comes with a sense of family and community. Our school has a long history of families that have attended for generations. My work is impacted by a sense of pride for carrying on the tradition of a strong faith-based education for this generation.
From the Principal
“Cindy Johnston is our outstanding grade 1 teacher. She is very dedicated to the children and religion. She gives her all every day. She comes in early, stays late, and participates in all school functions. Her children excel beyond the normal growth of first graders due to her dedication and love. Mrs. Johnston is truly an amazing teacher and person who, as a staff, all benefit from. A true gift from God!” -Christopher M. Evans, Headmaster
David Rosenbaum, Marian High School, Mishawaka
School Grade/Subject You Teach
German I, II, III, and IV. German III and IV are Honors and dual credit. German IV is AP. I am also the Moderator of the German Club and have helped with Quiz Bowl and National Honor Society.
How many years have you been a teacher?
35 years, most at Crown Point High School I have taught at Marian High School since August 2016.
Did you attend Catholic school?
No, I did not. I was born in LaPorte, IN and raised in Wanatah, IN.
What is the most rewarding thing about teaching in a Catholic School?
I truly enjoy the caring and supportive atmosphere that I experience on a daily basis at Marian High School.
What do you feel is the Catholic school advantage for students? For you as a teacher?
The Catholic school advantage for students lies in the fact that they are surrounded by faculty members who are interested in their whole education: intellectual, spiritual, social and physical. The advantage for me as a teacher is that I can openly live and express my faith on a daily basis.
Who inspired you to be a teacher?
I had several excellent teachers who definitely helped shape my world: my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Steiner, and his wife who was my junior high English teacher, as well as my high school German teacher, Diane Woolever.
Tell us about a moment when being in a Catholic school environment supported or significantly impacted your work as a teacher.
It is hard to find a single moment that has significantly impacted my work as a teacher, but it is easy to point to numerous times throughout an average day when I hear words of gratitude or encouragement from students toward other students or myself. These are the special moments that make me feel thankful that I teach at Marian High School. I have also experienced firsthand the dedication of a number of talented teachers and staff members. I am deeply moved to think that they would award me such an honor as the Light of Learning. It is their support and encouragement that have instilled in me the desire to strive to meet their high levels of professionalism and expertise.
Jessica Sheehan, St. Jude, South Bend
School Grade/Subject You Teach
Pk-8 General Music and Band
How many years have you been a teacher?
7 years
Did you attend Catholic school?
I attended Catholic School all the way through college. I grew up in Cleveland, OH and attended St. Columbkille Grade School, Holy Name High School and then St. Mary’s College in South Bend.
What is the most rewarding thing about teaching in a Catholic School?
The most rewarding thing is sharing the faith with my students and colleagues. With everyone in the school working towards the ultimate goal of Heaven together, it is easy to help and encourage each other along the way.
What do you feel is the Catholic school advantage for students? For you as a teacher?
For students the advantage comes in receiving a quality academic education as well as religion instruction. As a teacher, I appreciate that I can teach music within the framework of our Catholic community. I can tie the act of singing into how we participate in the mass or why we choose the music that we do during the different liturgical seasons. When the middle school students perform musicals, we are able to look at the messages and meanings in the show and compare and contrast that to how we live as Catholics.
Who inspired you to be a teacher?
I have encountered many people that have inspired me both musically and educationally. My elementary band director, Wayne Miller, and my trumpet instructor, Kathy Musat, first inspired me to practice music and to work towards being a good musician. My college professors, Rita Klinger and Roger Sams, inspired me to use that gift of music to bring a high quality education to the students entrusted to me. My parents were the first teachers of my faith and inspired me to use that every day in my teaching career.
Tell us about a moment when being in a Catholic school environment supported or significantly impacted your work as a teacher.
Last year one of my colleagues asked for my help in planning the music for a 6th grade prayer service. We gathered together all of the teachers and 6th graders that played instruments and created simple arrangements of hymns. The rest of the 6th grade acted as a choir for our group. This moment stands out to me for a few reasons. First, it was fun. I enjoyed working with the kids and other teachers that all wanted to create beautiful music. Next, it was an experience that built up our community. The principal played cello next to a student playing guitar. Finally, it was a reminder to me of the importance of using our talents for the glory of God.
From the Principal “Jessica Sheehan has worked in combination with St. Jude, St. Anthony, and St. Matthew Schools as a full-time music teacher since 2012 and is now in her 7th year of teaching with the Diocese. Jessica is an exemplary Catholic role model. She integrates hymns and Catholic themes into her music lessons for every grade. She encourages students to participate as instrumentalists in their liturgies. She is a smart and capable teacher who is also an excellent classroom manager. She handles classes with special needs students without difficulty or complaint, and often does not even request the use of an aide with the primary classes that she teaches. Jessica puts together fun and inspiring Christmas programs and musical for our students. She runs a growing high-quality band program. She even volunteers time to lead Marian High School’s pep band. Jessica is deserving of the Light of Learning honor and I am proud to recommend her for it.” -Steve Donndelinger, principal
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