by thelewisaw1dev | Aug 2, 2019 | Interesting Tidbits
The Award was initiated by Anne Stahel to give Monsignor Lewis a meaningful expression of her immeasurable gratitude for his unwavering pastoral support and friendship through times of family tragedy and multiple personal losses. As Anne very succinctly puts it “he was marrying, burying and being part of the Stahel and Williams families”, a friendship that spans over 50 years.
The expression of gratitude evolved into an idea for the Award endowment modeled on a class project of Anne’s late husband’s Princeton roommate, Ralph Nader, and his classmates. Identify an unaddressed need and move it forward. Anne embraced the idea, focused on the Diocese of Raleigh and through much discussion realized there was nothing in place to honor exceptional teachers in the Catholic Schools. So began the Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching. Since the first Award was presented on Monsignor’s 60th Birthday in 1992 there have been 28 outstanding educators who have been recipients as well as 9 Lifetime Achievement Awards presented for significant commitment and contribution to Catholic Schools.
Click here to read the full moving story of the Genesis of the Lewis Award
Consider nominating an exceptional teacher who has touched your lives or the lives of your children. The nomination period for the 2019-2020 Lewis Award will begin September 1 and end September 30. Forms will be available on this website.
by thelewisaw1dev | Feb 1, 2017 | Interesting Tidbits, News
Happy Catholic Schools Week and thank you teachers and staff for your service to Catholic education in the Diocese of Raleigh!
Interesting Tidbit
As we celebrate our current Catholic schools it is interesting to note that in the 1950s North Carolina had 56 Catholic elementary schools, 11 Catholic high schools or academies, and 3 Catholic colleges and resident schools including a school of nursing! So there were 70 vibrant Catholic educational institutions in a state at a time when only 1% of the population was Catholic!
by thelewisaw1dev | Dec 1, 2016 | Interesting Tidbits, News
As we look forward to the 25th Anniversary of the Award this school year of 2016-2017, we will continue looking back at past recipients…
Sarah G. Almon
2008 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement in Catholic Education
Then and now: When she received the Award Ms. Almon was teaching Seventh and Eighth Grade Mathematics and Pre-Algebra, and Eighth Grade Religion at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Raleigh. She taught at OLL from 1972 to 2008. Ms. Almon is now retired as a classroom teacher and “enjoying life to the fullest… daily workouts, long walks, camping, kayaking, traveling far and near, lots of lunches with friends, [and] being available 24/7 for friends who need help with anything!”
“[My] proudest moment was when kids were kind to each other — visible faith in action! Memorable moments [included] daily interactions with adolescents — always a surprise; graduation and Kinder-buddies; Passion Play and Class Trip; light shining in a students’ eyes when he/she grasped a concept; laughing with kids and them sharing with me.”
Teachers striving for excellence should…
“Be honest and love your students; set reasonable guidelines; laugh and enjoy each day; treat students with respect and expect respect from them; have a passion for what you do; be flexible and seize any opportunity that is a teachable moment. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake and practice what you preach!”
Ms. Almon shared her comments on Catholic school.
“My years at Lourdes were wonderful and even though I’ve been retired for years, those days in the Lourdes community will always hold a special place in my heart. Working with a faith community on a daily basis was especially important to me, to be able to put the Gospel in action. In do many ways, the Lourdes family certainly exemplified the message ‘To teach as Jesus did’.”
Susan Goethals
2008-2009 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then and now: Mrs. Goethals was teaching Biology and Advanced Placement Biology at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh. Mrs. Goethals has worked in the Diocese since 1997. She served as Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School until 2001 when she decided to return to her passion of classroom teaching. She began teaching at Cardinal Gibbons in 2001 where she continues to teach.
“One very memorable moment was the day I realized, after 2 years that I was finally getting comfortable with the pace and material required for an advance placement class. When you are a teacher you never know when a student or parent will remark on your teaching. Last year I received a note from the mother of a freshman girl. This very kind mother wanted me to know that I had a part in giving her daughter self-assurance and the courage to try new experiences. Her note reminded me that we are not teaching subject matter, we are teaching people. There is a lot more to learning than mastering concepts and vocabulary. Every now and then you are reminded that you have a part in the development of remarkable young people.”
Mrs. Goethals shared her thoughts on excellence in teaching.
“A very wise teacher once told me that teachers need to remember that the efforts you invest today may take years to bear results. Patience with yourself will lead to patience with your students. Seemly small and insignificant events and words often have lasting effects, most of which, we will never know about.”
Anne Stahel, Laura Gallimore, Susan Goethals, Sarah Almon, Mary Jane Davis, Cora Bilano, Rose Anne Farrell, Monsignor Lewis
Donna Frazelle
2009-2010 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then and now: Mrs. Frazelle was teaching Middle School Science at St. Mark Catholic School in Wilmington. She taught at Infant of Prague Catholic School in Fayetteville from 1999 to 2004. In 2004 Mrs. Frazelle assumed her position in Wilmington where she continues to teach Middle School Science at St. Mark.
“Catholic education is a vital tool for the development of any child. The shared belief in God, the strong sense of community and fostering of social justice, the safe environment, the structure, and of course the high academic standards, are all very strong aspects of Catholic education…”
“Each child is capable of excellence and I challenge my students, daily, to give me their best so they can achieve their excellence. Be it a class discussion on Punnett squares, or a detailed Science Fair project, I compel students to always give their best effort. The more they invest, the greater the return.”
Bishop Michael Burbidge, Donna and Allan Frazelle, Monsignor Lewis
Interesting Tidbit
Our First Black Bishop
James Augustine Healy was born in 1836 in Macon, Georgia. He was considered a slave by law since his mother was a black woman. His Irish father moved the family to New York when James was 7 so his children could be educated. James and his brothers attended Holy Cross College in Massachusetts. In 1854 James became America’s first black priest and was later named the first black bishop in the United States for Maine and New Hampshire. He was called the “Children’s Bishop” due to his opposition to child labor laws and his construction of orphanages and schools. He purchased half an island off of Portland for an orphanage and was said to visit the children often with goodies in his pocket. Under Bishop Healy 60 new churches were built and the Catholic population in that area doubled.
by thelewisaw1dev | Nov 1, 2016 | Interesting Tidbits, News
As we look forward to the 25th Anniversary of the Award this school year of 2016-2017, we will continue looking back at past recipients…
Brother Michel Bettigole, OSF
2006 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement in Catholic Education
Then and now: Brother Michel was the Principal of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh from, 1994 through 2006. He is now retired and lives at the Franciscan Friary in Brooklyn, New York. He spends time volunteering at the local soup kitchen.
The proudest moment for Brother Michel was “building the new Cardinal Gibbons High School.”
Brother Michel wants teachers striving for excellence to know that “Teaching is the most noble of professions. Put your heart and soul into it.”
Maria Iniquen-Gomez
2006-2007 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then and now: When she received the Award Mrs. Gomez was teaching Middle School Science and Social Studies at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Burlington. Mrs. Gomez began teaching at Blessed Sacrament in 1986. Since 2006 she has served as Principal of Blessed Sacrament.
“My vision of Catholic education is to cultivate the spirituality of each child. As educators, we must teach the students that God Is the center of our lives. We must help develop their trust, dignity and respect for one another so they accept differences in others. We must help the children learn that since we are all made in the image of God, everyone brings value and uniqueness to the world.”
“…It is my personal belief that any child who walks into my classroom walks into my life. I will love them and educate them to the best of my ability. I believe that, through teaching children, I touch the future.”
Mrs. Gomez and Monsignor Lewis
Jo-Ann Colopy
2007-2008 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then and now: Mrs. Colopy was teaching Second Grade at St. Raphael Catholic School in Raleigh when she received the Award. She is now semi-retired and continues to teach part time at All Saints Academy in Wake Forest and tutors for the Hill Center in Durham.
Mrs. Colopy shares a memorable teaching lesson.
“One year I had my second graders do a book study in conjunction with a science lesson on the life cycle of a butterfly. The life cycle was part of the curriculum and they all really know the stages already. So the Holy Spirit guided me to look for authors who told this life cycle in words and pictures. I found many fiction and nonfiction examples to bring to the class. We read all the books, compared author’s purpose, and looked at the illustrations. I probably could have created many graphic organizers and anchor charts but we just enjoyed the literature. Then the students were turned loose to create their own book about the life cycle of the butterfly. Their creations were amazing. They were so engaged in the process that I never had an attention issue or behavior problem during Writer’s Workshop. AND the result blew me away! No two were alike. You could see Eric Carle’s style captured on student as his book had pages that grew in size with his caterpillar much like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. One student was impressed with Jan Brett’s style of putting information in the center of the page and framing the whole page with little details. Gail Gibbons found the fancy of one young student who layered important information with full illustrations. I probably should have kept the books, I did show them to anyone who would look and, eventually, sent them home for parents to be amazed too.”
Teachers striving for excellence should…
“Be open to students’ ideas. Their suggestions may make you think about new ways to present your content. Also, provide a variety of ways for your students to show you what they know.”
A teacher striving for excellence must
“Be an active learner! I am semi-retired but I still read articles on comprehension for the students I tutor. I still take online classes to renew my license and my mind. When it was time to renew my license last time, I had more entries than lines on the page. I love to learn. I don’t think I know much. I need more input. I need to hear what others are doing. I need to know.”
Mrs. Colopy shared her thoughts on teaching in a Catholic school.
“I know it has been my food fortune to teach in a Catholic school. My faith life has been able to grow and mature. Maybe it would have happened elsewhere, I have always been faith filled, but I just sense that I learned more about being God’s chosen person being in the Catholic School. No, it was not always peaceful, or without conflict among peers or parents, but it was the best it could be for me.”
Monsignor Lewis, Jo-Ann Colopy, Anne Stahel, Bishop Burbidge
Interesting Tidbit
Patrick Francis Healy
Patrick Francis Healy (1830-1910) was born in Georgia to a slave mother and an Irish Catholic immigrant. According to Wikipedia, Patrick was the first person of African American descent to obtain a PhD. He was also the first to become a Jesuit priest, and to become the 29th president of Georgetown University (the oldest Catholic and Jesuit College in the country). Patrick is sometimes referred to as the “second founder” of Georgetown due to his modernization of the curriculum to require more of the sciences and to the improvements made in the medical and law schools. Next month we will meet Patrick’s brother James, another Healy to thrive after receiving a Catholic school education.
by thelewisaw1dev | Oct 1, 2016 | Interesting Tidbits, News
As we look forward to the 25th Anniversary of the Award this school year of 2016-2017, we will continue looking back at past recipients…
Susan Hoying
2003-2004 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Mrs. Hoying was teaching Kindergarten at St. Raphael Catholic School in Raleigh when she received the Award. In 2007 she passed away at the age of 58. She will always be remembered as the consummate educator and for her unending love, patience and understanding of students and parents.
The following comments were taken from Mrs. Hoying’s nomination form for this Award.
“The prime mission in a Catholic education is living discipleship — not just studying or memorizing our Catholic faith but walking in the Word of God in our daily thoughts and actions. Individual academic excellence germinates, blooms and grows in a Christ-filled environment.”
“For nine years I taught in a public school with wonderful children and families. Working in the Catholic school allows me the glorious freedom of teaching the real truth about where all the guidelines for ‘character education’ are based — GOD’S WORD! Working as a co-partner with God teaching our children in the faith is spiritually edifying.”
Joe and Sue Hoying
Michelle Silva
2004-2005 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then and now: Mrs. Silva was teaching Kindergarten at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Chapel Hill when she received the Award. She started teaching Kindergarten in 1997 and is currently in her 20th year at St. Thomas More.
When asked the proudest or most memorable experience in the classroom, Mrs. Silva noted
“… that seeing the children enter the classroom in the fall, fresh and unaware of so much. Then as their teacher, I am able to take them on the glorious journey of learning confidence, independence, building their self-esteem, while at the same time, providing etiquette so that one day they will become true disciples of Jesus.”
Mrs. Silva encourages teachers striving for excellence to
“… believe strongly in setting high expectations for one’s self, first. Following that, it is imperative to set the bar high (with expectations) for your students and their parents, alike. Teaching is challenging each day; yet it can be so rewarding when you have parents, colleagues and students all knowing the expectations as the school year begins. Once they are established, it becomes the teacher’s objective to provide the right mix of love, nurturing and joy to help maintain and reach those expectations. Happiness will be had by all and the school year will become a fabulous place to learn, laugh and play every day! Therefore, shoot for the stars and enjoy the journey!”
Mrs. Silva believes that
“teaching in a Catholic school is special because one has the opportunity to interject God into every aspect of learning without hesitation! I have been blessed with beautiful people who have been ‘bucket-fillers’, daily sharing God’s love for one another. It has also been exciting to meet so many talented teachers in our diocese over the past ten years. I am grateful to Monsignor Lewis and Anne Stahel for their commitment in recognizing many teachers for their important role in education, sharing their true gifts with children and their families. Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me’; indeed, I am grateful for the gift of children in my life every day!”
Monsignor Lewis, Michelle Silva, Anne Stahel
Laura Gallimore
2005-2006 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then and now: When she received the Award Mrs. Gallimore was teaching First Grade at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School in Wake Forest. Mrs. Gallimore began teaching at St. Catherine’s in 1999 and is currently in her 18th year at the school.
“My vision of Catholic education is to instill our Catholic faith into each child. Show each child that he or she can make their faith come alive in their everyday lives by what they say and do.”
“… in order to achieve success and confidence (children) need to feel good about themselves.”
Laura Gallimore and Monsignor Lewis
Did You Know?
Did you know that there was a family living in Georgia in the early 1800s that raised 3 sons who became priests with very noteworthy careers? From this same family were 3 daughters who became nuns! Needless to say, all of the children received a Catholic education! For the next 3 months you will hear about the amazing accomplishments of three of these children.
An interesting fact about the parents of these noteworthy citizens is that the father, Michael Morris Healey, was an Irish Catholic immigrant who became a wealthy cotton farmer in Georgia and his common law wife, Mary Eliza Smith, was a mulatto slave. Mixed race children were not allowed to be educated in Georgia at that time, so they were sent to the North to receive their Catholic Education. Next month you will learn about their son, Patrick.
by thelewisaw1dev | Sep 1, 2016 | Interesting Tidbits, News
As we look forward to the 25th Anniversary of the Award this school year of 2016-2017, we will continue looking back at past recipients…
Lesley Ferguson
2002 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement in Catholic Education
Then and now:
When she received the Award Mrs. Ferguson was the Principal of St. Egbert Catholic School in Morehead City. Mrs. Ferguson served as the Principal from 1978 through 2009. She is now retired and among her many interests continues to impart her love and commitment to Catholic education as a member of the Lewis Award Committee.
Mrs. Ferguson shares her reflections on the impact of the Lifetime Achievement Award as well as perceptions of Excellence in Teaching.
“Being entrusted by my church to serve as principal of St. Egbert Catholic School and help fulfill the Catholic School mission was a great honor and responsibility to me. To be so honored (by the Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement) was totally overwhelming to me. The following rush of support and congratulations I received from colleagues and later from family friends and parishioners was more than I ever could have imagined, making me feel grateful, joyful and humbled. The whole experience affirmed my efforts and inspired my continued service. In my heart I always knew that my service as principal was not my gift to God but His gift to me. I knew I served on Holy ground and it was His work that I did, not my own.
Excellence in teaching in Catholic schools thrives in the spiritual and physical environment provided by our church and its schools. Teachers, the heart of instruction in our schools, hold their vocation in high regard and know that the children have been entrusted into their care. They help students appreciated their self-worth as children of God by inspiring them to do their best and to discover their God-given gifts.”
Anne Stahel, Mrs. Ferguson, Monsignor Lewis, Dr. Michael Fedewa
Marilyn Misa Ferguson
2000-2001 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then and now:
Mrs. Ferguson was teaching Third Grade at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Chapel Hill “where I taught at that Grade level… for a total of 23 years which were the most rewarding years of my life.” Mrs. Ferguson taught at St. Thomas More from 1987 to 2010 and now lives in Oregon. “No matter where this life takes me, I will always be a teacher at heart.”
“There were many wonderful and cherished moments during all of my years of teaching but I think that the most memorable was the following experience… You can imagine the shock when the mom of one of my third graders was suddenly killed in a car accident on her way to pick Anna up from school. I took that little girl under my wing that year and did all that I possibly could to fill in the gap of the loss of her mom, doing such things as staying after school to help her with her homework and taking on the task of ordering her lunch each month (with her dad’s permission), among other things. From my early years as a teacher, my primary goal was to make a difference in the lives of as many students as possible. I know for sure that I achieved my goal in this one particular case.”
“The most valuable advice that I could pass on to upcoming teachers is to try to connect with each student. Try to find something in common so that you can relate to each of them. This personal touch will help you to form a close bond with each child. They will want to behave for you simply because they like you. This is a great tip for discipline. There is no need for punishment or threats, just show them that you love them and care about them!”
Mrs. Ferguson shared her thoughts on teaching in a Catholic school and the Lewis Award.
“This award recognizes the hard work, love, and devotion that is required of a good and effective teacher. Teachers are so deserving of such an honor! I absolutely loved teaching in a Catholic School where I was free to talk about values and Jesus and the importance of religion in our lives. My favorite moment during the week was going to mass every Friday morning with my students. Sharing the Eucharist with these children was such a special moment for me! During those times, I felt like more than an instructor but rather a role model who was in a position to inspire these young children during their most formative years. What a daunting but very special role is that of a teacher!”
Sister Jane Hardison, IHM
Washington, NC and Catholic Schools Bring About Another Star
Sister Jane Hardison (1939-2015) grew up in Washington, NC and was said to be proud of being a southerner. She attended Catholic school and at age eleven became Catholic. She entered the IHM Novitiate after high school and became Sister Timothy Marie. She began her teaching degree, earned three college degrees, and had forty-three years of ministry assignments. She was referred to as “ninja nun” because of her karate skills, but also had talents in music and outdoor pursuits. Jane was a masterful teacher and well loved by children and adults.
