Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Catholic Foundation awards Work of Heart Award to 14 area teachers, educators and staff

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — The Catholic Foundation announced today that fourteen Dallas-area Catholic school teachers, administrators and staff received the Work of Heart Award and a $500 grant for personal use. The awards are given for their commitment to students, colleagues and their communities.

“As the school year comes to a close, we are honored to recognize those who given above and beyond of themselves this past year in their schools and communities,” said Edwin M. Schaffler, president of The Catholic Foundation. “Throughout this past year we have honored nearly 100 teachers, administrators and staff, thanks to the support we receive from the anonymous family and donors who share our desire to give special distinction to those who are an important, invaluable part of our children’s lives.”

The Work of Heart Award program was established in 2005 and funded solely by an anonymous Dallas family through The Catholic Foundation to honor 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 can be made to the Work of Heart Award Fund at The Catholic Foundation.

Recipients of the Work of Heart Awards were selected from nominations written by students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members. The Foundation has 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 criteria is 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.

The following recipients each received a $500 Work of Heart Award in recognition of their outstanding service. Each is listed with a comment from the nomination letter submitted on his or her behalf.

Bishop Dunne Catholic School: Patrick O’Sullivan, Assistant Principal

“Mr. O’ Sullivan has the greatest enthusiasm for Catholic education. He believes in our kids and goes the extra mile to ensure they have every opportunity. He truly exemplifies the three pillars of Catholic education – respect for the individual as a child of God, dedication to teaching the Catholic faith and commitment to academic excellence.”

Bishop Lynch High School: Dr. Jennifer Allen, History Teacher & Cheerleader Coach

“Dr. Allen expects that her students and her cheerleaders will be examples and leaders to other students. She helps reinforce the Catholic values that as parents we want our children to have. She insists everyone respect themselves as well as others. She also thinks not only of our students and athletes but of others also.”

Delaine Taylor, Science Teacher

“Delaine Taylor is an amazing teacher, coach, mentor, role model, sister, daughter, friend and person. It is not easy to find a teacher that is as dedicated in the classroom as in the field of coaching. Delaine gives 110% to teaching and coaching. It doesn’t matter how much work she has to do, she is always there with a smile on her face ready to help.”

The Highlands School (Irving): Jared Randolph, Maintenance & Coach

“Coach Randolph has taught our kids humility and patience, perseverance, fortitude and charity. He is helpful, courteous and a very skilled baseball player himself, who has so much experience that I have not one single time seen him ask anything of our boys that he has not personally done himself. Coach Randolph is a man who loves God, loves coaching, loves kids, and is not afraid to work. ”

Mary Immaculate Catholic School: Jennifer Watts, Science & Religion Teacher

“Ms. Watts’ dedication to excellence in Catholic education is evident in her concern for her students, her enthusiastic instruction, and her leadership in service to the school and local communities. She is able to help the students learn and solve problems with the utmost professionalism, kindness and a good sense of humor. Ms. Watts is a role model of compassion, service and dedication for students, faculty and parents.”

St. Joseph Catholic School (Richardson): Judy Lewis, 5th Grade Teacher

“When Mrs. Lewis teaches her class, she does so with enthusiasm, excitement and a huge dose of practical sense of humor. She always puts emphasis on serving the community and those in need. She makes sure that we see the bigger picture in everything we do! Making students strive to be the best they can be is why this exemplary teacher deserves this worthy award.”

St. Joseph Catholic School (Waxahachie): Amy Elliot, 6th Grade Teacher

“While Ms. Elliot is entirely devoted to the spiritual and academic success of the children at St. Joseph, I have witnessed kindness and care that extends beyond the students of her classroom and students of the school. Her love, concern, caring and commitment to the community are always made evident through her actions. She is a wonderful role model.”

St. Mark Catholic School: Linda Rood, 1st Grade Teacher

“After helping with an activity in class, I was in awe of the respect and love the children have for Mrs. Rood. Not once did she raise her voice to get the class under control. There is no question that Mrs. Rood sincerely loves her children and sure that they are all growing both spiritually and academically.”

St. Mary’s Catholic School (Sherman): Sammy Brown, 4th Grade Teacher

“Mr. Brown teaches his students though leadership and knowledge of the subject matter. He is extremely enthusiastic and this can be seen in how his students become enthusiastic in the subject matter also. He mentors and encourages each student to do and be their best in all aspects of their lives.”

St. Patrick Catholic School: Polo Herrara, Custodian

“Mr. Herrara always goes above and beyond in service to our school. Whether lending an extra hand with carpool duty or helping to set up events at the school, he is consistently providing extra service and always is cheerful and pleasant to be around.”

Sally Zalkovsky, Special Learning Teacher

“Patience, unending support and a sympathetic heart would describe how she interacts with students and teachers. Being a lifesaver for the students who learn differently is important. These children have many challenges, but Sally is always there to give a hand to ‘pull them up’. She is a role model and a hero to our children and staff.”

St. Pius X Catholic School: Stacy Melin, 7th & 8th Grade Teacher

“With the amount of children that a teacher has to teach on a daily basis, Ms. Melin still makes time for each individual child. In addition, she always responds to the parents as soon as she can with kindness and suggestions.”

Carol Newman, Principal

“Dr. Newman strives every day to make her school the absolute best place a student can go to achieve an education. She expects the students to be self disciplined, motivated learners. She never gives up on a student or group of students. She understands the value of working hard and being rewarded for your work. She is above all fair.”

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School: Jacqueline Renee Pinkston, School Nurse

“All the students go to Mrs. Pinkston for help and comfort. She is their motherly comfort at school. Her nursing skills are excellent and when we recently had a flu epidemic this past year, she was on top of the situation. Our Lord is truly working through Mrs. Pinkston as she takes care of our children every day and she is our St. Thomas Aquinas School ‘Angel’.”

Chartered in 1955 by a group of dedicated Catholic laymen, The Catholic Foundation is a donor-focused community foundation that guides benefactors in compassionate charitable giving endeavors.

Source: The Catholic Foundation

See more stories in:

• Christianity > Catholic
• Private Schools > 12th Grade Inclusive > Bishop Dunne Catholic School
• Private Schools > 12th Grade Inclusive > Bishop Lynch High School
• Private Schools > 12th Grade Inclusive > Highlands School
• Private Schools > Elementary and Middle Schools > Mary Immaculate Catholic School
• Private Schools > Elementary and Middle Schools > St. Joseph Catholic School
• Private Schools > Elementary and Middle Schools > St. Mark Catholic School
• Private Schools > Elementary and Middle Schools > St. Patrick School
• Private Schools > Elementary and Middle Schools > St. Pius X Catholic School
• Private Schools > Elementary and Middle Schools > St. Thomas Aquinas

Comments

alexander troup Verified

Just 14 and 500 dollar a pop....could get you in for two or three a meal at the Bishop's grill...

5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )