Brian Olszewski, Editor, The Catholic Virginian
Catholic school teachers from across the diocese, their principals and guests gathered virtually on Wednesday, May 13 for the third annual Excellence in Catholic Education awards presented by the Office of Catholic Schools.
During his opening remarks, Bishop Barry C. Knestout expressed his gratitude to the nominees for their work.
“It incorporates the faith, but it is much beyond that in terms of all the other aspects of human life and formation for our young people,” he said. “It makes me proud and it’s great to be a part of the work of the diocese that is carried out so beautifully by each of you.”
The Excellence in Catholic Education awards honor teachers who represent the best in Catholic teaching in each region and across the diocese. Administrators and colleagues at each school selected one teacher to be recognized based on their exceptional commitment to Catholic education through their leadership and service to their students, parents, colleagues, parishes and school communities.
The Excellence in Catholic Education school award winners are:
Mary Davison, All Saints Catholic School
Barbara Green, Catholic High School
Mandy Mills, Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School
Katie Milnor, Charlottesville Catholic School
Theresa Sullivan, Christ the King Catholic School
Sarah Whalen, Holy Cross Regional Catholic School
Marisa Trible, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
Dominican Sister Mary Josephine, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School
Michael Pilola, Peninsula Catholic High School
Peggy Campbell, Portsmouth Regional Catholic School
Catherine Schlesser, Roanoke Catholic School
Lorraine Schwarz, Sacred Heart Catholic School
Angelina Bush, St. Anne Catholic School
Michelle Cisik, St. Benedict Catholic School
Shannon Barry, St. Bridget Catholic School
Rachel Franklin, St. Edward Epiphany School
Julie Mazzeo, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School
Diane Astrin, St. John the Apostle Catholic School
Linda Elkins, St. Joseph Catholic School
Patricia Harris, St. Mary Catholic School
Dominican Sister Mary Augustine Brilliant, St. Mary Star of the Sea
Roxanne Catoire, St. Matthew Catholic School
Carol Novisk, St. Pius X Catholic School
Myriam Traub, Star of the Sea Catholic School
Milnor, first grade teacher at Charlottesville Catholic School, was the recipient of the Western Vicariate award. In his nomination, her principal, Michael Riley, wrote: “She is often found helping students resolve their differences in an age-appropriate manner, utilizing the teachings of Jesus to help them be more accepting, respectful, and compassionate.”
Davison, first grade teacher at All Saints Catholic School, Richmond, received the Central Vicariate award. Her principal, Michael Kelleher, wrote in her nomination: “The praise that parents shower upon this nominee is well deserved and it runs the gamut from her ability to implement effective classroom management techniques, to assessing student learning, to creating quality, engaging learning centers for the students. … “It is easy to see that she loves her students and they love her.”
Pilola, the Eastern Vicariate honoree, teaches English at Peninsula Catholic High School, Newport News. In her nomination, Jenny Franklin, principal, wrote: “Michael never forgets where he is or what his purpose is here … to form these young people into great citizens who are strong in their faith.”
She added that he is a “role model to his colleagues and they respect him not only for his skills but for the manner in which he supports them – always positive, always with a smile and always with a helping hand.”
Mills, a second grade teacher at the Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School, Powhatan, received the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award — given to a teacher “based on their selfless work in service of the Gospel in both word and deed, their dedication to Catholic education, their instructional expertise, and their witness to their faith to help transform the lives of our Catholic school students and communities,” according to the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools.
In her nomination of Mills, Paula Ledetter, head of school, wrote: “Mandy is dedicated and committed to the well-rounded development of her students, working to enhance the academic and cocurricular programs at the school, coaching and teaching colleagues in new initiatives and participating in church and community events. She is a reliable and dedicated teacher who is respected and valued by her colleagues.”