NINE  DIOCESAN TEACHERS RECEIVE GOLDEN APPLE AWARD

June 3, 2008 – Toledo, OH – Eight elementary school teachers and one high school teacher from across the Diocese of Toledo will receive the Golden Apple Award for devoting their time and talents to Catholic education. The Golden Apple Award was established by the Jack and Rhodora Donahue Family Foundation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has been expanded from the Diocese of Pittsburgh to include the Diocese of Youngstown and the Diocese of Toledo.

Each award winner will receive $5,000, a certificate of achievement, a Golden Apple keepsake decorated with a 24-karat gold cross, and a lapel pin. All of the winners will be honored at a banquet to be held on Thursday, June 5 at the Toledo Club. The evening’s events will begin at 6 pm. Bishop Leonard P. Blair will present the awards to this year’s winners.

Twenty-five teachers from across the diocese were nominated for this year’s award.  Teachers had to be nominated by a parent, a student or a fellow teacher. Each school was allowed one nominee whose application was sent to a selection committee at the diocesan schools’ office. This year’s winners include:

Kathleen A. Beres – St. Peter Elementary – Mansfield – Mrs. Beres has taught in the St. Peter’s Elementary and Montessori schools since 1994 in grades from pre-school to her current position as second grade teacher. Kathy is a Eucharistic Minister at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and an active supporter of Catholic Charities and Children’s Services. Nominated by a student and parent, Kathy is described as a natural, “tapping into the hidden potential of her students. She patiently and carefully polishes each student like a diamond in the rough until they shine brilliantly.”  Fr. Borgia, Pastor of St. Peter’s says of Kathy, “I truly believe that St. Peter’s Parish and School are blessed to have Kathy as a teacher and active parishioner.”

Charlotte Best – Central Catholic High School – Toledo – Mrs. Best has faithfully served Central CatholicHigh School as a teacher for the past 35 years in the subjects of American and British Literature, English, and Film Study and Mass Media. Charlotte integrates service projects and social learning into her classroom having organized canned food drives three times a year for the past ten years, and by encouraging her students to complete random acts of kindness throughout the year. The students who nominated Charlotte describe her as a caring and compassionate teacher who “puts her heart and soul into what she teaches.” Michael Kaucher, Principal at Central Catholic says of Charlotte, “She truly believes that those entrusted to her are not only students, but children of God.”

Melody M. Curtis – All Saints Elementary – Rossford – Mrs. Curtis has been teaching at All Saints Elementary since 2005 in grades two through eight, and recently took on the role of Assistant Principal in addition to her full-time teaching duties. Outside the classroom Melody is active in Parish life as a member of the St. Katherine Drexel Change team, as a Eucharistic Minister, and as a volunteer with the Parish Food Pantry. The family who nominated Melody expressed their gratitude at the individual attention she showed not only their child, but every child in her classroom. Teresa Richardson, Principal at All Saints says that Melody has, “touched the lives and shaped the future of many students and families in our community, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Marcia Estep – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Elementary – Toledo – Mrs. Estep has taught second grade at OLPH for the past nineteen years. Marcia is also a Board Member for the American Cancer Society, a Food Coordinator for the Relay for Life in Perrysburg, a volunteer for Daffodil Days in Wood County, and has previously served as a Board Member for the Victory Center in Toledo. Marcia is described as a “top-notch” teacher whose versatility allows her to work not only with her second grade students but as an advisor to the Junior High Student Council. Those who nominated her note her ability to empower students to leadership roles. As a second grade student who nominated Marcia says, “She is just the best.” 

Thomas E. Farrell– Lial Catholic School – Whitehouse – Mr. Farrell has taught throughout Northwest Ohio since 1988 and has been an Intermediate Teacher (grades 4, 5, and 6) at Lial for the past eleven years. Tom is also the advisor of the Science Club, Astronomy Club, Chess Club, and Service Club. Nominated by students and fellow teachers, Tom is said to be a perpetual student himself, “seeking truth and sharing his love for learning with his students and colleagues.” Sr. Cheryl Darr, a fellow teacher at Lial says of Tom, “he is committed to Catholic education, assisting students to become the best they can be.”

Louise Hoschak – Blessed Sacrament Elementary – Toledo – For the past thirty years Mrs. Hoschak has served the Blessed Sacrament community as a teacher in kindergarten through 8th grade, as an assistant principal, and in her current role as a Middle School Religion teacher. Since 1982 Louise has been a part of the Child Conservation League and has served as a past President, Secretary and Chaplain for the organization. Nominated by a fellow teacher, Louise is described as a teacher who makes faith come alive for her students. “She wants her students to realize that everything they do they should do in God’s name” says nominating teacher Kathleen Ansted.

Carol Lindsley – St. Joseph Elementary – Sylvania – Mrs. Lindsley taught at St. Charles in Toledo from 1974-1978 and has taught at St. Joseph’s for the past thirteen years as a third grade teacher. Carol contributes her services to many aspect of her community including the St. Luke Teacher Inservice Committee, the Toledo Area Council of the International Reading Association, and the Respect, Literacy and Social committees at St. Joseph. Current students, parents and fellow teachers nominated Carol saying she is a teacher who lives her faith inside and outside the classroom. Fr. Wurzel, Pastor at St. Joseph says Carol is “the kind of person you want to stand up in front of your students and engage them in the learning process.”

Cindy McLaughlin – Norwalk Catholic School – Norwalk– Teaching since 1979, Mrs. McLaughlin has taught in Defiance, Monroeville, Bellevue, at Norwalk St. Paul High school, and currently teaches in the EarlyChildhood Center at Norwalk Catholic School. Cindy is a current member of the National Catholic Education Association, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and of the Home Economics Association, Phi Upsilon Omecron. The parent who nominated Cindy notes the way her calming nature helps the small children she works with grow and develop. Amy Hurst, Director of the Early Childhood Center, echoes this sentiment saying, “The patience she exhibits when working with her students as well as the encouragement she offers them helps them to be successful in their studies.”

Catherine Ujvagi – St. Pius X Elementary – Toledo – Mrs. Ujvagi has taught throughout Northwest Ohio in grades three through eight and currently teaches grade six Math and Religion, and grades 6-8 science and Health at St. Pius. Cathie serves on the National, State and Local Councils of Teachers of Mathematics, and as been a presenter for the Greater Toledo Council. Nominated by families of current students, Cathie is described as an enthusiastic teacher whose patience and creativity help all her students thrive. Fr. Morse, Pastor at St. Pius X says that, “Cathie stands out as exceptionally gifted and dedicated to bringing the best out of her students especially in the faith and academic areas.”

For more information on the winners or the June 5 banquet please contact Jack Altenburger, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, at the Catholic Youth and Schools Services office at 419-244-6711.

The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910 encompasses 8222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, serving 306,532 Catholics. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.

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