The Catholic Foundation honors 15 Dallas-area teachers, faculty and staff

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — The Catholic Foundation announced today that 15 teachers and staff members in the Dallas Catholic community were all found deserving of a Work of Heart Award from The Catholic Foundation. Winners received a $500 grant for personal use as a thank you for their hard work and dedication to serving students, colleagues, families and their communities.

The Work of Heart Award program was established in 2005 and funded solely by an anonymous Dallas family through The Catholic Foundation. To this day the program has given 501 grants totaling $449,500 to educators and staff of Catholic lower, middle and high schools located in the Dallas area. This year, The Catholic Foundation has matched the family’s contribution to the program. Individual contributions also can be made to the Work of Heart Award Fund at The Catholic Foundation.

“During this time of year it is important to be thankful and to give thanks to others,” said Edwin M. Schaffler, president of the Catholic Foundation. “We are honored to present these educational professionals with a Work of Heart Award for the tireless acts of generosity that they demonstrate year-round. They truly deserve many thanks and this special recognition.”

Work of Heart Award recipients are nominated by students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members. This year, the Foundation formed a committee, with members of its Advisory Council, to read the nomination letters received each month and decide which teachers and staff members will receive a Work of Heart Award. The nominations are judged based on traditional merit criteria 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.

The following recipients each received a $500 Work of Heart Award in recognition of their outstanding service.

All Saints Catholic School: Marty Koss, Liturgy Director

Christ the King School: Jill Fallon, 4th Grade Teacher

Holy Trinity Catholic School: Debbie Martin, Early Childhood Aide

Jesuit College Preparatory School: Anthony Mattacchione, Assistant Community Service Director/Rugby Coach

John Paul II High School: Paul Philp, History Teacher and Curtis Reuben, Maintenance Staff

Notre Dame School: Kay Barry, Development Director

St. Elizabeth of Hungary: Kathy Price, 3rd Grade Teacher

St. Monica Catholic School: Mary D’Angelo, Technology Coordinator

St. Patrick’s Catholic School: Susan Scott, Kindergarten Aide

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School: Diana Eaker, 6th-8th Grade Science Teacher and Susan Sabetti, 5th Grade Teacher

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School: Leslie Avery, 1st Grade Teacher

The Highlands School: Martha Lamberti, Academic Coordinator

Ursuline Academy: Peggy Coleman, Geometry Teacher/Math Lab

Chartered in 1955, The Catholic Foundation has dedicated its resources to compassionate charitable giving through grants provided by benefactors through its many planned giving programs.

Source: The Catholic Foundation