Inaugural Amazing Catholic Educators Award Honors Five Teachers
Today at the Community Granting Awards Breakfast, the Catholic Foundation is, for the first time, honoring five educators and awarding them $1,000 each. The Amazing Catholic Educator Award recognizes teachers and specialists within the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD) Catholic schools who are creating a school culture that is proudly Catholic, academically excellent, accessible to all, and sustainable for the future. Each of the five educators exemplifies unleashing the Gospel in their school.We are pleased to introduce you to the 2019 Amazing Catholic Educator award winners. Please help us celebrate these amazing educators for their (99 combined!) years of faithful, inspired service to AOD schools:
Karen Fabian is a teacher at Shrine Catholic Grade School for 3rd grade English/Language Arts, math and science. She has been a teacher in the AOD for 20 years. Principal Jennifer Bero describes her as “enthusiastic, energetic and caring.” Ms. Bero shared in her nomination, “Karen integrates her Catholic faith into everything she teaches. Karen expects the best from all of her students while also meeting each child where he/she is at. She differentiates her lessons and makes the students eager to learn more. We have some families who struggle with helping their children at home and Karen helps to bridge this gap, making Shrine their home.”
Kathryn Gross is a teacher at Loyola High School Detroit in 9th grade culinary arts and 10th grade biology. She has taught in AOD schools for 25 years. Principal Wyatt Jones, III describes her as “dedicated, nurturing and reliable.” Mr. Jones shared in his nomination, “Kathy brings the same energy, passion and Christian love to this, her 22nd year at Loyola as she did in her first year of serving our mission in 1998. Working with underserved and marginalized students has been her calling. Recognizing the vast talent of the student body, Kathy formed a debate team eight years ago and has coached the team to six State Championships and four League Championships.”
Timothy Magg is a teacher at St. Mary Catholic Central High School (SMCC) in 12th grade theology and serves as campus minister. He has taught at SMCC for 22 years. Principal Jason Linster describes Tim as “compassionate, faithful and engaging.” Mr. Linster wrote in his nomination, “Tim is a faithful Catholic who spreads our faith among the students, staff and parents. He has taught on every grade level and has implemented a Christian service program, managed and grown three student service trips to Kentucky and Guatemala, instructs seniors on how to be faith leaders, and has counseled students through personal problems, crises of faith, and walked with students through the process of joining our Church. He runs a retreat program that is mentioned by graduates as among the most important moments of their four years of high school.”
MaryBeth Nicholas is a teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) for 4-6th grade science and has taught in the AOD for 25 years, 20 of those at OLGC. Principal Melissa Hunt describes her as “faith-filled, giving and joyful.” Ms. Hunt shared in her nomination, “MaryBeth strives to make learning enjoyable and attainable for all students by relating topics to real life, blending them with faith and incorporating hands-on activities. Using her charisms for intercessory prayer and mercy, she has shown her giving heart by sleeping outside to raise money for the homeless. She is an inspiration to other staff members through her hard work and willingness to lend a helping hand.”
Zoe-Ann Waters is a teacher at St. Isaac Jogues in English/Language Arts for grades 6-8. She has taught in AOD schools for 7 years. Principal Sr. Catherine Marie Compton describes her as “passionate, dedicated and compassionate.” Sr. Compton wrote in her nomination, “Zoe-Ann supports new staff and helped develop our mentor program for new teachers; she builds school identity within and outside her classroom (she is leading our accreditation); and she is always looking for new ways to integrate her Catholic faith in her lessons and novels. She meets every child where they are at to help each one grow and succeed. She imparts to her students both a strong confidence in expressing themselves, and a deep wonder of the world around them.”