I FIRST WALKED INTO ST. Bonaventure Catholic School as a fourth-grade transfer student. Years later, I returned to teach in the very same classroom where I once sat as a student. What began as my school community has become my forever home, and that full-circle journey is at the heart of why I choose to teach at a Catholic school. Teaching in a Catholic school allows me to blend strong academics with faith formation in a meaningful way. In my classroom, I guide students in reading, writing and critical thinking while also helping them grow in character and spirituality. This balance is what makes Catholic education so special and why I feel truly called to St. Bonaventure.
Here, we nurture curious minds, kind hearts and a sense of service. I love walking alongside my students as they grow academically, spiritually and socially. For me, the greatest joy is seeing students develop not only in knowledge, but also in faith and character. Watching kindness, compassion and curiosity take root in the classroom reminds me that teaching is about forming the whole child.
My hope for my students is that they grow in faith, develop strong moral character and learn to serve others with compassion. At St. Bonaventure, we intentionally form character through our HALOS core values, encouraging students to exemplify humility, accountability, leadership, optimism and service in their daily lives. These values guide our SAINTS, our students, to think critically, act with integrity and care for their communities. When I see them shining their HALOS for all to see, I know we are preparing them not only for academic success but for lives of purpose and faith.
My teaching journey began in the public school system, but I realized something was missing without faith woven into daily learning. Returning to St. Bonaventure felt like coming home, where I could fully live my calling as an educator.
Every day, I am grateful to be part of a school where faith is lived, learning is celebrated and each child is supported in reaching their fullest God-given potential. I cannot imagine teaching anywhere else.