by thelewisaw1dev | Sep 1, 2015 | Interesting Tidbits
As we look forward to the 25th Anniversary of the Award in 2016-2017, each month the website will highlight past recipients.
Betty Pat Goddard
1992-1993 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then & Now:
When she received the Award Mrs. Goddard was teaching Second Grade at Annunciation Catholic School in Havelock. She now resides in Oklahoma.
Mrs. Goddard reflects on teaching in a Catholic School.
“Teaching is a profession of hope. Every day is a clean slate. I like beginnings and teaching is one hundred seventy nine beginnings and one ending.”
“I believe the mission of Catholic schools is to teach as Jesus did. ‘Within such communities of faith, teachers and pupils experience together what it means to live a life of prayer, personal responsibility and freedom reflective of Gospel values. Their fellowship helps them to grow in their commitment to service of God, one another, the church, and the general community.’ Teach as Jesus Did.”
Sister Lisa Ann Golden, I.H.M.
1993-1994 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Then & Now:
When she received the Award Sister Lisa was teaching Second Grade at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Raleigh. She is currently the principal of St. James Catholic School in Savannah, Georgia.
“What makes… an outstanding teacher… is the balance… of being firm and loving, challenging and supportive. My hope for each child… is that they know God’s deep love for them and that they maintain a self-confidence to always try their best.
The mission of Catholic Schools is to build strong Christian leaders, law-abiding citizens and service oriented people. Through a structured curriculum, the Catholic School System seeks to educate a responsible and resourceful person who is loyal to both Church and community, a person who is comfortable in spreading the Gospel message through their words and actions to all whom they meet in everyday life.”
Anne Stahel and Sister Lisa (2012)
Interesting Tidbit
Monsignor Gerald Lewis grew up Methodist in Biloxi, Mississippi. He had many Catholic friends and he converted to Catholicism as a young adult.
Msgr. Lewis was a corpsman in the U.S. Navy serving on the USS Deuel. He knew he was getting out of the navy soon and prayed that the Lord would tell him what his next mission in life should be. He made a pilgrimage to Lourdes with his chaplain. While there Msgr. Lewis prayed that the Blessed Mother would help him decide what to do. When he arrived back at the ship, mail was waiting for him. In his mail was a pamphlet titled Caring To Be A Priest. Young Jerry Lewis read the pamphlet thoroughly and the rest is history!
by thelewisaw1dev | Aug 1, 2015 | Interesting Tidbits
Reflections of Recipients
The first Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented in October, 1992. The Award is in recognition of exemplary teaching and dedication to Catholic education in the Diocese of Raleigh. In 1999 the first of six Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement in Catholic Education was presented. This Award is presented to individuals who, over an extended period of time, have made a significant commitment and contribution to the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Raleigh and to their church and civic communities. The Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award may be in administration, faculty or staff. The Lifetime Achievement Award is a special honor bestowed by the Lewis Award Committee at its initiative and timing, and only when the Committee deems circumstances warrant.
As we look forward to the 25th anniversary of the Award several Recipients will be highlighted on the website each month for the coming year. Recipients will share what they are doing now, memorable moments in the classroom and reflections on excellence in teaching. Since this is the time in the school year nominations are submitted to the Lewis Award Committee, it seems most appropriate to begin by looking at the impact this Award had on Recipients.
(L to R) Anne Stahel, Maria Gomez, Cora Bilano, Jo-Anne Colopy, Mary Jane Davis, Diane McGrady, Sister Lisa Golden, Lesley Ferguson, Monsignor Lewis, Maisha Mayfield, Laura Gallimore, Becky Dason, Jack Viorel, Michelle Silva, Joan Troy, Rozanne Farrell (2012)
“The Lewis Award impacted me and my teaching by encouraging me to continue to work hard for my students to help them strive for excellence.”
— Becky Dason, Art Department Chair, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Raleigh
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 1996
“It was wonderful to be confirmed and to lift up an inner-city school like Immaculata.”
— Mary Anne Jackson, retired Fourth Grade teacher, Immaculata Catholic School, Durham
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 1999
“It is always rewarding to realize that people recognize your achievements. I think this award boosted my self-confidence — all the nominees were exceptional so for me to be the recipient, it was a true inspiration.”
— Debbie Haggerty, former Kindergarten teacher, current Interim Principal, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, Rocky Mount
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2000
“Receiving the Lewis Award was the proudest moment of my teaching career, for it celebrated my many years of commitment and dedication… I felt very appreciated for all of my years (over 30) of teaching in a Catholic School. It was such a tremendous honor to have received such an award for a career to which I devoted my life. To this day, I am still in disbelief that I received such prestigious recognition!”
— Marilyn Misa Ferguson, former Third Grade teacher, St. Thomas More Catholic School, Chapel Hill, now residing in Oregon
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2001
“Receiving the award was a humbling experience. It was a time to reflect on my journey as a Catholic school teacher, to recognize the impact I could have on others through teaching, and the importance of continuing to have high expectations, not only for my students, but for myself as well.”
— Rozanne Farrell, retired Sixth Grade Language Arts teacher, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School, Cary, now a private tutor
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2002
(L to R) Marilyn Misa Ferguson, Mary Jane Davis, Lesley Ferguson, Rozanne Farrell, Cora Bilano, Debbie Haggerty, Monsignor Lewis, Mary Anne Jackson, Maisha Mayfield, Sue Hoying, Michelle Silva, Becky Dason (2005)
— Michelle Silva, Kindergarten teacher, St. Thomas More Catholic School, Chapel Hill
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2005
“I teach because God calls me to use my skills. I am fortunate that I truly enjoy being used in this manner. It was very rewarding to have received this award but I would do what I do anyway. The thing is there are many moments when I doubt my abilities and myself. I questioned, ‘What do I really know?’ It is at those times I would mentally call up the notion that there was this group of amazing educators from various levels of education that thought ‘She’s a special teacher.’ This may sound odd but there are so many things coming at you in education — new methods, technology, curriculum — that you are overwhelmed and wonder how to do it all and can you do it and are you doing it well for the students. I was validated by this award and for me that is huge.”
— Jo-Ann Colopy, Second Grade teacher semi-retired, St. Raphael Catholic School, Raleigh, currently teaching & tutoring part time
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2008
(L to R) Anne Stahel, Laura Gallimore, Susan Goethals, Sarah Almon, Mary Jane Davis, Cora Bilano, Rozanne Farrell, Monsignor Lewis (2009)
— Susan Goethals, AP Science teacher, Cardinal Gibbons High School
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2009
“While it was quite an honor to win, the greatest impact has been to make me want to be a better teacher. Many kind things were stated and I want to try to live up to them.”
— Joe Hughes, Middle School Social Studies, St. Peter Catholic School, Greenville
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching 2013
“It was a great honor as I completed my term at Cardinal Gibbons High School.”
— Brother Michel Bettigole, OSF, former principal, Cardinal Gibbons High School
The Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement 2006
“It made me stop and really reflect on my years as a deep appreciation to all the students, families and coworkers who touched my life so beautifully while I was at Lourdes. Teaching is certainly a major responsibility and to receive the Lewis (Lifetime Achievement) Award made me realize that maybe I really did make a positive difference in the lives of students — what a powerful humbling experience — definitely an emotional moment in my life.”
— Sarah Almon, retired Seventh-Eighth Grade Math and Religion teacher, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Raleigh
The Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement 2008
“Receiving this honor totally took me by surprise. I was humbled as well as honored. To this day I strive to prove to myself that I can live up to the standards this honor implies.”
— Diane McGrady, Director of Curriculum/Instruction, Cathedral Elementary School, Raleigh
The Lewis Award for Lifetime Achievement 2011
