Dallas’ Catholic Foundation announces recipients of “work of heart” award

by PegNews wire

DALLAS--The Catholic Foundation recently announced the first quarter 2007 recipients of the “Work of Heart” Award. This award was established by an anonymous Dallas family through The Catholic Foundation and is in its second year.

The “Work of Heart” Award honors teachers, administrators and staff of Catholic lower, middle and high schools located in the Diocese of Dallas. It provides up to 20 $500 awards each month from September to May of each school year totaling as much as $90,000. It also grants four grand awards of $5,000 twice during the 2006-2007 school year amounting to $40,000. The program is open to anyone serving as a full- or part-time employee in a Catholic school located in the Diocese of Dallas. Recipients may receive only one monthly award during the year.

The latest round of awards included $26,500 in $500 awards to teachers and staff, as well as $15,000 in Grand Awards at $5,000 each, for a total of $41,500 in grants supporting local teachers and staff.

“The “Work of Heart” award is a recognition and thank you to teachers, faculty and staff who play such an integral part in the lives of the children in the Diocese of Dallas,” said Edwin M. Schaffler, Foundation president and CEO. “Whether the individual teaches a class, coaches a sport or provides a nutritious lunch to our students, the impact they make on the children they serve is a worthy one. We are proud to honor such an outstanding group of people.”

The following recipients were selected from written nominations submitted to the Catholic Foundation and based on traditional merit including tenure and leadership, acts of kindness or charity, Christian example, mentoring and simply going the extra mile for an individual student, family or the community:

All Saints Catholic School

· Karen Beacham, Second-Grade Teacher

· Becky Bristow, Eighth-Grade Teacher

· Martha Owan, Principal

· Sister Carmeli Proana, Learning Adventure Teacher

Bishop Lynch High School

· Rick Dunn, Geography/Government/World History Teacher and Boys Basketball Coach

· Paul May, Computer Applications/Personal Finance/Business Management Teacher and Cross Country Coach

· Terry May, Director of Public Relations

· David Post, Government and Mock Trial Teacher

· Kit Sawyer, Fine Arts Department Chair, Speech Teacher and Spring Musical Director

· David Stepp, Junior-Level English Teacher

Christ the King Catholic School

· Susie DeLaGarza, Third-Grade Teacher

Cistercian Preparatory School

· Stephen McCarthy, Health Teacher and Varsity Football and Soccer Coach

The Highlands School

· Karin Brown, School Nurse

· Donald Conklin, Middle School Physical Education Teacher

· Bernice Engel, Middle School Math Teacher

· Debbie Hurley, Administrative Assistant

· Martha Lamberti, Middle School Academic Coordinator

· Cheryl Miller, High School Academic Coordinator

· Lori Saldi, Pre-Kindergarten – 4 Aide

Holy Trinity Catholic School

· Lani Concepcion, Pre-Kindergarten

Jesuit College Preparatory School

· Anthony Borrow, SJ, Theology Teacher

· Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, Rector and Latin and Theology Teacher

· Rita Miller, College Placement Assistant

The Notre Dame School of Dallas

· Carmen Fernandez, Director of Job Placement

· Sr. Maureen Mueller, Music Teacher

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School

· Sandy Arias, School Nurse

· Jacqueline Pimentel-Gannon, Third-Grade Teacher

Prince of Peace Community School

· Marianne Telepak, Third-Grade Teacher

Prince of Peace Community School and St. Clara of Assisi Catholic School

· Mary Krieg, Librarian

St. Cecilia Catholic School

· Haley Drake, Pre-Kindergarten – 3 Teacher

· Evie Lowe, Principal

St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic School

· Kathy Price, First-Grade Teacher

St. John School, Ennis

· Laura Coker, High School English Chair and Speech/Drama Teacher

St. Joseph Catholic School, Waxahachie

· Margaret Boykin, Second-Grade Teacher

· Kristin Tallett, Music Director

St. Mark Catholic School, Plano

· Jo Arata, School Secretary

· Debbie Lewis, Middle School Latin and Seventh/Eighth-Grade English Teacher

St. Monica Catholic School

· Lori Petrowski, Second-Grade Teacher

· Sally Reilly, Fifth-Grade Teacher

St. Patrick Catholic School

· Lori Baker, Seventh/Eighth-Grade History and Literature Teacher

· Carol McDermott, Seventh/Eighth-Grade Math and Algebra Teacher

St. Paul the Apostle School

· Terri DeHaan, Fourth-Grade Teacher

St. Philip the Apostle School

· Linda Dudik, Cafeteria Manager

· Martha Segovia, Assistant Cafeteria Manager

St. Pius X Catholic School

· Robbie Gavos, Art Teacher

· Mary Miskulin, Cafeteria Staff

· Dr. Carol Newman, Principal

· Deborah Stribling, Music Teacher

St. Rita Catholic School

· Neil Lyle, Maintenance Staff

· Mary Schaffer, Fifth/Sixth-Grade Aide

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School

· Patrick Magee, Principal

· Ann Selzer, First-Grade Teacher

Ursuline Academy

· Patricia Medina, English Teacher

In addition, the “Work of Heart” Grand Awards for Fall 2006 were awarded to:

· Freda Alvares, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Grand Prairie

· Monica Luisi, First-Grade Teacher, St. Rita Catholic School

· Amy Johnson, History Teacher, Bishop Lynch High School

To nominate a candidate for the “Work of Heart” Award, please contact the Foundation’s Web site at www.catholicfoundation.com for instructions on the nomination process.

Source: The Catholic Foundation