Celebrating its 20th Anniversary Year, the Lewis Award Committee announces the three Finalists for the Excellence in Teaching Award for 2011-2012. The Finalists are:

• Mrs. Christine Hatcher, 7th and 8th Grade Language Arts, Religion and Social Studies, St Patrick School, Fayetteville
• Mrs. Cheryl Stevens, 5th Grade, The Franciscan School, Raleigh
• Mrs. Joan Troy, 9-12th Grade Mathematics and Choral Music, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Raleigh

Mrs. Christine Hatcher, 7th and 8th Grade Language Arts, Religion and Social Studies at St. Patrick School in Fayetteville, has been teaching for 29 years, 23 of them in her present position at St. Patrick. Mrs. Hatcher holds a Batchelor of Arts from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA, and a Masters in Art of Teaching from St. Mary University in Leavenworth, KS. Her school and community activities include Social Studies Coordinator for St. Patrick School; Faculty sponsor of Patriot’s Pen and Geography Bee competitions and for St. Patrick’s Junior Historian Club; co-chairs the annual Veterans Day program; and involves her students in community outreach programs. In recognition of Mrs. Hatcher’s 20th year of teaching, St. Patrick’s parish honored her with a Papal Blessing. She resides in Fayetteville.

Mrs. Cheryl Stevens, 5th Grade teacher at The Franciscan School in Raleigh, has garnered her 11 years teaching experience at The Franciscan School. Mrs. Stevens earned her K-6 certification from Meredith College in Raleigh, and her BS in Environmental Health from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Stevens has been a successful grant writer, securing funds for projects with STOP Hunger Now and other outreach activities involving her students. She is the Teacher Liaison for TFS knitting club; was honored with the inaugural Fr. David J. McBriar, OFM, Collaborative Ministry Award in 2008; and serves as Eucharistic Minister at St. Francis of Assisi Parish and at Magnolia Glen, a senior living community. Additionally, Mrs. Stevens works at a local homeless shelter. She resides in Raleigh.

Mrs. Joan Troy, 9-12th grade Mathematics and Choral Music teacher at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, has 26 years of teaching experience, 15 of which have been in her current capacity at Cardinal Gibbons. Earning her BS in Mathematics from Greensboro College, and a MEd. in Mathematics from Campbell University, Mrs. Troy has been recognized as a Distinguished Educator and Mentor by the NCSU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and as a Woodrow Wilson Master Teacher by Princeton University. Mrs. Troy serves as CGHS Director of Liturgical Music; is the Musical Director for the Drama Department; and for the last three summers has been a Director of a Summer Musical Theater Camp for elementary and middle school children. Mrs. Troy resides in Pittsboro, NC.