Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
February 6, 2002
Catholic educators honored at annual banquet
119 educators recognized for 5 to 30 years service
By Alwen Bledsoe
Chandeliers, a rich meal and accolades greeted the teachers of the Archdiocese of Denver's Catholic schools Feb. 1 at the Catholic Educators' Appreciation Banquet held at the Renaissance Denver Hotel.
Telling teachers and principals that "you are the reason our school system is as strong as it is," Betsy Boyle, superintendent and secretary of Catholic schools, opened the celebration.
"It is so important to us to be able to provide you with this evening out and recognize your commitment to our schools and our students and our families, so thank you so much for what you do," she said. "We don't say it enough, but thank you very much, especially tonight."
After the dinner, educators and administrators received awards for their dedication to Catholic education. Raucous cheers and the occasional celebratory kazoo, accompanied standing ovations as educators were recognized for years of service in the archdiocese's Catholic schools. Fifty teachers and principals were recognized for five years of service in the archdiocese, 32 for 10 years of service, 16 for 15 years of service, 11 for 20 years, five for 25 years and five for 30 years.
Susan Murphy, associate superintendent for technology and planning at the archdiocese, was honored by an announcement of her nomination for the John Vaughn Excellence in Education Award given annually by the North Central Association. Boyle read from a letter of nomination penned by William R. Munsell, school improvement specialist/ambassador for the Colorado North Central Association.
"Ever since our first involvement I have been impressed and inspired by your passion and your leadership," the letter stated. It later continued, "Regardless, if you eventually receive the award or not, please know that you are one of my education heroes."
The Office of Catholic Schools also recognized Haven Moses, director of community outreach at the archdiocese, for winning the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in Washington, D.C., in October 2001. The award, said Boyle, recognizes individuals whose volunteer or professional work has benefited youth and education, especially Catholic education, in the United States.
"His dedicated service has helped promote the role that Catholic education plays in developing morally sound citizens for today and tomorrow," Boyle said of Moses.
The Seton Tradition Award, given to those exhibiting a commitment to family, friends, community and the poor, was awarded to Jan Zapapas, former secretary for stewardship and planning at the archdiocese.
Boyle said that Zapapas "in recent years has given of her own time, expertise and professional resources to further the mission and ensure the future of all of our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Denver."
The banquet fell on National Teacher Appreciation Day and brought a close to Catholic Schools Week, promoted by the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
According to the NCEA and USCCB, enrollment for the 8,164 Catholic schools in the United States for the 2000-2001 year was 2,647,301 students, 25.6 percent of those minority students.
In their promotional literature, the two organizations also note that 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go to college and that minority students who graduate from Catholic high schools are three times more likely to earn a college degree (25 percent as opposed to 8.5 percent) than African-American and Hispanic-American students who graduate from public schools. In Catholic schools, 25 percent of minority students earn college degrees while only 8.5 percent of public school graduates do.
They also state that while 14.4 percent of students in public schools and 11.9 percent in private schools drop out of high school between their sophomore and senior years, only 3.4 percent of students drop out in Catholic schools during those years.
Archbishop Charles Chaput closed the celebration with marks of congratulations and thanks.
"The loudest applause really should go to each one of the teachers who came up here and each one of you who has even served for one year in this wonderful service to the people of the archdiocese," he said.
Noting that the archdiocese is trying to raise money to increase teacher salaries, the archbishop promised to continue finding "concrete" ways to express the archdiocese's appreciation to Catholic teachers.
"There's nobody who works more energetically for so little and accomplishes so much," he said. "You've heard that before, but it's true about you, and we're very proud of you."
After the banquet, attendees mingled with fellow educators and opened gifts of congratulations. Surrounded by colleagues and friends, Susan Schneider was opening one of many gifts of the day. She's been teaching for 10 years in the archdiocese and currently teaches first grade at St. John the Baptist in Longmont.
"I had a really great day at school today," she said, smiling as she recalled the gifts given to her by parents and students.
"The 10 years have really flown by," she said. "The day was here before I knew it."
Her colleague, second grade teacher Julie Couch, was honored for five years in the archdiocese's schools.
"It's nice to be appreciated for what I do," Couch said. "It gives you a good feeling to have the support of the archdiocese and the faculty."
Carol Plummer, a third grade teacher at All Souls, has taught in the archdiocese's Catholic schools for 15 years.
The evening, she said, gave her a chance to reflect on her successes.
"It's hard to believe that 15 years have gone by," Plummer said. "It makes me think, `Yeah, it is an accomplishment.'"
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