January 28, 2009

Catholic Schools Week: Three local teachers mark 40 years in parochial schools

By Denver Catholic Register

Catholic Schools Week is celebrated nationally the last week in January, this year Jan. 25-31. The theme for this year’s observance celebrates Catholic schools and community service. The logo for the observance shows the words “Celebrate Service” and hands reaching out and surrounding a globe. The “t” in the word “celebrate” is formed as a cross.

The observance is an initiative of the National Catholic Educational Association, an organization for Catholic educators and schools,  and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Schools typically celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses and activities for students, administrators, faculty, staff, the community and families. Additionally this year many schools will undertake new service projects.

Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week traditionally is observed as National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools. On that day, student delegations meet on Capitol Hill to deliver packets of information about the good news of Catholic education to U.S. congressional leaders.

In the Denver Archdiocese, during Catholic Schools Week the Office of Catholic Schools honors educators for their years of service in five-year increments. Profiles of local educators marking 40 years in Catholic schools follow. Watch upcoming issues of the Denver Catholic Register for profiles of educators observing 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service in Catholic schools.

40 Years

Suzanne Scheck
St. Catherine of Siena, Denver

St. Catherine of Siena School in Denver could be considered a second home for Suzanne Scheck. Not only has Scheck taught there for four decades, but her two daughters were educated there and two grand-daughters go to school there today.  Currently the eighth-grade homeroom teacher, Scheck has taught every grade from third to eighth.  She believes that the “whole” child needs to be educated and that to do so requires the help of many.  “You need the assistance of parents, colleagues and the parish community,” Scheck said, “in order to have a caring, active member of society who loves others and engages in works of service.”

Sister Catherine Erger, S.C.
St. Francis de Sales, Denver

Sister Catherine Erger, a Sister of Charity of Cincinnati, has taught many subjects in her 40 years as an educator, among them English, French and journalism.  Currently teaching English at St. Francis de Sales School in Denver, she earned a bachelor’s degree at College Mount St. Joseph in Ohio, one master’s degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.,  and a second one from the University of Colorado.  Sister Catherine said that she continues to teach because it’s her vocation.  “It’s been spiritually, intellectually and physically challenging and enjoyable,” she said. 

Jerry Walker
St. Louis, Englewood

To look at the beginning of Jerry Walker’s career, you have to go back to 1967 when she began teaching third grade at Most Precious Blood School in Denver.  She holds a degree in elementary education from the University of Northern Colorado and four years ago earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Phoenix.  Now a widow, she has two daughters, Chris and Katie.  After spending two years substitute teaching in the public school system, Walker returned to Most Precious Blood where she taught for 19 years.  In 1989 she became assistant principal and 10 years later became principal.  In 2004 she moved to St. Louis School in Englewood and back to the classroom where she teaches fourth grade.  “Teaching is preparing students to become future leaders,” she said. “To be successful, students need a strong foundation and that foundation is to be found in our Catholic schools.  We teach not only academics, but help the students grow spiritually, emotionally and socially.”