Lewis Award Dinner 2025-26
May 1, 2026, we celebrated the Finalists and Recipient of the 2025-2026 Lewis Award at North Ridge Country Club!
2025-26 Recipient – Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
CONGRATULATIONS!
Mr. Taylor Blanton, Cardinal Gibbons High School
2025-26 Recipient – Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Taylor Blanton is the 2025-26 school year’s recipient of the Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching. Blanton, in his 16th year at Cardinal Gibbons, teaches Advanced Placement United States History and Economics, and extends his content area contributions beyond traditional classrooms. Blanton has led students on the school’s Western Europe trip during mid-winter break. Among colleagues, he has offered professional development for enhancing financial literacy. Blanton has coached in the Crusaders’ cross country, swimming & diving, and track & field programs. An April 15 all-school Mass will include the Lewis Award’s presentation to Blanton.
2025-26 Finalists Announced!
2025-26 Award Finalists
We are happy to announce our finalists for this 2025-26 calendar year!
Taylor Blanton
Taylor Blanton teaches 12th and 11th graders in Social Studies at Cardinal Gibbons High School (Raleigh). Blanton, a 15+ years veteran of Cardinal Gibbons’ classrooms, embraces a unique brand of daily instructional differentiation. “From traditional pencil and paper notes to digital video lessons, students have access to material in the way that works best for them,” Blanton said. “That small flexibility is appreciated by students and gives them the tools they need to be successful.”
Andrew Pietrus
Andrew Pietrus teaches sixth graders in English Language Arts and Theology at Our Lady of Lourdes School (Raleigh). Pietrus, throughout two decades at Our Lady of Lourdes, is reminded, time and again, of how digital teaching and learning resources are optimized when blended with fundamental, traditional skills masteries, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. “I would hope my classroom now has a good balance between technology and human interaction,” Pietrus said.
Jennifer Sullivan
Jennifer Sullivan teaches fourth graders in English Language Arts and Social Studies at Saint Thomas More School (Chapel Hill). Sullivan, a continuous Saint Thomas more fixture from the Holy Year 2000 through the Holy Year 2025, believes in the vitality of a data-driven “Gradual Release of Responsibility’ from teacher to learners. “Involving students in monitoring their own progress has increased engagement, deepened their understanding of learning, and strengthened a classroom culture of perseverance and ownership, positively impacting both instruction and student achievement,” Sullivan said.
Lenten Journeys, Lewis Award Honors Unite Schools
Lewis Award Committee members observed the Lenten season’s conclusion at school Masses in union with this 2024-25 academic year’s “Excellence in Teaching” award finalists and their school communities.
Finalist: Jennifer Sullivan, Saint Thomas More School (Chapel Hill)
(honored Friday, April 4)
Recipient: Christine Brennan – Our Lady of Lourdes School (Raleigh)
(honored Wednesday, April 9)
Finalist: Colleen Whilldin – Saint Egbert School (Morehead City)
(honored Friday, April 11)
Christine Brennan named recipient of 2024-25 Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Christine Brennan, already having celebrated her silver (25th) anniversary as a third grade teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes School (Raleigh), added distinction as a golden instructional exemplar in this Holy Year 2025. Brennan is this (2024-25) school year’s recipient of the Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching. Brennan will be presented the Lewis Award on April 9, during an Our Lady of Lourdes School Mass.
