FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sally Oberski
Director of Communications
419-244-6711 x 148
soberski@toledodiocese.org
www.toledodiocese.org
NINE DIOCESAN TEACHERS RECEIVE GOLDEN APPLE AWARD
May 20, 2009 – Toledo, OH – Bishop Leonard Blair awarded seven elementary school teachers and two high school teachers from across the Diocese of Toledo with the Golden Apple Award for devoting their time and talents to Catholic education at a May 19 banquet at The Toledo Club. 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 received a check for $5,000, a certificate of achievement, a Golden Apple keepsake decorated with a 24-karat gold cross, and a lapel pin.
Twenty-one teachers from across the diocese were nominated for this year’s award. Teachers are nominated by a parent, a student or a fellow teacher. Each school was allowed one nominee whose application was sent to a selection committee comprised of educators, administrators and members of the Bishop’s Education Council. This year’s winners are:
Theresa Betori – St. Patrick of Heatherdowns– Toledo –Theresa has taught in the Diocese of Toledo schools since 1994 as a 7th and 8th grade science teacher. Theresa is active in her school and parish community coordinating and serving as a judge for Science fairs, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and more. Theresa is described as a teacher who never stops, who always encourages her students to do their best. Fr. Walsh, Pastor of St. Peter’s says of Theresa, “I am constantly impressed with Theresa’s ability to infuse the teaching of her faith with her science curriculum.”
Paula DeCola – Defiance Catholic – St. Mary Campus – Defiance – Paula has faithfully served the Defiance Catholic schools for 25 years in many subjects including health, gym, language arts, religion and science. Outside the classroom Paula is a Fairview High School band chaperone, a member of the Sherwood Area Professional Women organization, and a volunteer the St. Mary Parish Catholic Community Food Pantry. Nominated by a fellow teacher, Paula is described as putting her “faith in action” and as a “lead teacher who goes over and beyond her ordinary responsibilities.”
Jan Dornick – St. Charles Elementary – Lima – Jan has taught for 24 years in 1st and 2nd grade at St. Charles school. Jan is a member of the Lima Serra Club and the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Jan has also been a lector at St. Charles since 1979, and helps coordinate a Christmas project each year that provides bags of food to families in need in Lima. Fr. Blum, Pastor of St. Charles, describes Jan as, “an extremely conscientious, faith-filled, dedicated, and creative individual who works extremely hard in the classroom to provide a quality education for her students.”
Sr. Rita Mae Johns – Calvert Catholic Schools – St. Joseph campus – Tiffin – Sr. Rita has taught in Catholic schools for the past 46 years, and as taught Math, Religion and Science for 35 years at St. Joseph, Tiffin . Sr. Rita is a member of the music Folk group and a Eucharistic Minister at her parish. Nominated by a parent and co-worker, Sr. Rita is described as a dedicated teacher, religious leader and friend. Patricia Haley, Principal at the St. Joseph campus says Sr. Rita, “loves teaching and has made a positive impact on many students over many years in the Tiffin community.”
Ana Modrowski– Sacred Heart Elementary – Toledo – Ana has taught Pre-K, 2nd and 3rd grade over 22 years at Sacred Heart. Ana is an active member at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns as well as Sacred Heart volunteering at both parishes festivals. Those who nominated Ana note her dedication to reaching out to students who have difficulty learning and her creativity in doing so. Fr. Eckart, Pastor at Sacred Heart describes Ana as “both a great teacher and a role model of faith.”
Barbara Ott – Sandusky Central Catholic- St. Mary Campus – Sandusky – For over thirty years Barbara has served the Sandusky Catholic school community in kindergarten through 8th grade, as a Physical Education and Health teacher. Barbara currently serves as the Dean of Students, as the CYO Athletic Director at her parish, as a member of the School Governance committee, and as a Eucharistic minister for the school. Nominated by a fellow teacher, Barbara is described as a “joy to be around,” and, “an inspiration to all who know her.”
Daniel Rose – Sacred Heart Elementary – Fremont – Dan has taught at Sacred Heart for the past 25 years as a 7th and 8th grade Religion, Reading and English teacher. Dan serves as the Coach for the Power of the Pen team, and organizes an annual character development/like skills program for the 7th and 8th grade students. At his parish, Immaculate Conception in Bellevue, Dan serves as a cantor and a guest instructor for RCIA classes. The fellow teacher who nominated him says, “Dan’s dedication to his teaching and his faith gives all of us an achievable goal to strive for.”
Elizabeth Strbik – Notre Dame Academy – Toledo– For fourteen years Beth has taught Spanish and Theology throughout Ohio spending the last six at Notre Dame. Beth has been a presenter at the Ohio Foreign Language Association Conference, and is part of the music ministry at both Christ the King Parish and Corpus Christi University Parish in Toledo. The student who nominated her describes Beth as a “very respected, kind, thoughtful and hard working teacher.” Sr. Mary Ann Culpert, SND, President of Notre Dame Academy says Beth “embodies personal and professional values we strive to impart to our young people in Catholic education.”
Mike Wasiniak – Norwalk Catholic- St. Paul High School – Norwalk – Mike has taught for over 27 years in the Diocese of Toledo, and the last 12 have been as a Marine Biology, Anatomy, Physiology and Biology Lab teacher at St. Paul High School. Mike has served as the chairperson since 1998 of the Huron County Local Professional Development Committee, and serves as a Eucharistic minister, Lector and Guitarist at St. Alphonsus and St. Paul’s Parishes in Norwalk. Walter Klimaski, President of Norwalk Catholic Schools, describes Mike as a “professional in word and deed inspiring many a student in their career choice, and providing an excellent example and mentor to new teachers.”
For more information 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 30,134 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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