TEACHERS SPEND THEIR days supporting and cheering on their students, but on a recent Friday night, the tables were turned and they got their moment in the sun for all they do for Catholic education.
The Diocese of Orange hosted its 12th annual Celebrating Catholic School Educators dinner on Feb. 6 in the hotel ballroom at the Anaheim Marriott Suites in Garden Grove. Educators with a milestone anniversary were recognized along with the Teachers of the Year from different campuses and three award winners. There was also a keynote address by Dr. Joy Roberts, co-founder of Friendzy, a faith-based curriculum used by the schools.
XENIA JESKE IS CONGRATULATED BY DR. ERIN BARISANO FOR HER 45 YEARS OF SERVICE DURING THE12TH ANNUAL CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS DINNER. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The dinner’s theme was “Anchored in Christ’s Love.”
“Tonight, we celebrate teachers who have modeled this theme beautifully,” said Dr. Erin Barisano, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Orange. “Through their commitment to mission and service to their students, they are living witnesses of Christ’s love in this world.”
Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen led the 322 attendees in song before saying the opening prayer.
St. John the Baptist School Principal Paula Viles was honored with the Bishop Vann Award, which is traditionally given to one educator each year for outstanding service to Catholic education.
“What began as a calling has become a lifetime of purpose,” Viles said. “I have been blessed to serve as a teacher, a leader and, most importantly, a quiet witness to the miracles that happen in Catholic schools every day.”
Viles began her teaching career in 1983 at St. John the Baptist in Costa Mesa. She worked as a classroom teacher until 1990 when she transitioned to the position of computer teacher, a role involving “pioneering instructional technology as the tools of education evolved,” Dr. Barisano noted.
In 2009, Viles became the vice principal before being promoted to the top job in 2015.
“Throughout her decades of service, but especially in her years as principal,” Dr. Barisano said, “Paula strengthened the Catholic identity at St. John’s through her commitment to instill in the students our mission: ‘St. John the Baptist School prepares the way for students to embrace the fullness of God’s love in the world and in Heaven.’”
Viles, an educator for 43 years, started preparing for her role as a child. She thanked her six siblings for playing school with her every day “whether they wanted to or not.”
Viles also thanked her mentor Sr. Mary Vianney Ennis, S.M., who served as Viles’ predecessor at St. John the Baptist. Sr. Vianney saw leadership potential in her when she couldn’t see it herself.
“I am humbled and honored to accept the Bishop Vann Award,” Viles said. “I accept this award with a grateful heart and a profound sense of responsibility.”
Fourteen teachers across the diocese were also honored as the Teacher of the Year at their respective campuses. They were also finalists for the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Teacher of the Year awards, which were narrowed down to one primary and secondary teacher.
CAITLYN LECLAIR DISPLAYS HER PLAQUE AFTER BEING NAMED SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
St. Hedwig Catholic School’s fifth-grade teacher Kyle Kelly was honored as the Elementary Teacher of the Year. Kelly teaches math, science and religion at the Los Alamitos school.
KYLE KELLY, A TEACHER FROM ST. HEDWIG SCHOOL, RECEIVED THE ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
“He is committed to fostering a Christ-centered learning environment where faith and intellectual growth are inseparable,” Dr. Barisano said. “This teacher integrates Catholic identity into daily instruction, encourages respectful dialogue and strives to form the whole child: academically, spiritually and morally.”
Rosary Academy’s social studies teacher Caitlyn LeClair was honored as the Secondary Teacher of the Year winner. LeClair, in her fourth year at Rosary, started her Catholic school tenure as a preschool student and continued through high school before returning to become an educator herself.
“This award really isn’t my award,” LeClair said. “This award is truly a testament to the long line of Catholic educators who taught me and mentored me into the person I am today. Not a single one of us in the entire world would be where we are today without the teachers who educated us, supported us and, most importantly, loved us.”
Fr. Angelos Sebastian, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Orange, gave the closing prayer. Before his prayer, Fr. Angelos, who had served as a teacher, commended those in the room. He pointed out how they are not just teachers, but Catholic teachers who model themselves after Christ, the one eternal teacher.
“It’s not an easy choice that you make,” Fr. Angelos said. “It’s a sacrifice to be a Catholic teacher, and all of you have made that sacrifice. That’s making a difference in the lives of your students and in the lives of society. So, you are not alone in this. Remember, we are all on this mission together. The diocese is there to support you and, most importantly, the Lord is there to watch over us.”