Catholic school educators honor their own

Intermountain Catholic

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Judge Memorial Catholic High School Principal Jim Hamburge (left), winner of the Outstanding Administrator Award, Dr. Galey Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego Catholic High School, who accepted an Outstanding Educator Award for Social Studies Department Chairwoman Mary McConnell, and St. Vincent de Paul second grade teacher Rhea Hristou pause after receiving awards March 9 on Catholic Educators' Day. At right, Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, then-diocesan administrator, receives the Christ the Teacher Award from Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY – Educators from the diocese’s 14 Catholic schools gathered in the Judge Memorial Catholic High School Auditorium March 9 to honor three of their own. Two teachers and an administrator were selected out of 12 outstanding educators.

First, the teachers honored Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, then-diocesan administrator, with the Christ the Teacher Award.

After breakout sessions and a Mass celebrating Catholic Educators Day, Holy Cross Sisters Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Catholic schools, and Genevra Rolf, associate superintendent presented Msgr. Fitzgerald with an icon of Christ and a Christ the Teacher Award plaque. Msgr. was recognized for his dedication to Catholic education, his years spent as director of Catholic Relief Services of Utah, as superintendent of Catholic schools, and his two terms as president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore.

Surrounded by his brother priests who serve as Catholic school administrators, Msgr. Fitzgerald recalled that early in his priesthood, then-Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal sent him to Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., to earn a degree in social work.

"He told me I would head up Catholic Charities," Msgr. Fitzgerald said. "It seemed that wherever I went there was no money.

"As teachers, we have such an exciting ministry," Msgr. Fitzgerald told the teachers. "As teachers, we have a unique opportunity to have such an impact on our diocese."

Acknowledging the many hours Catholic school teachers spend preparing for class and the many sacrifices they make to provide quality Catholic education for the diocese’s children, Msgr. Fitzgerald said everyone who teaches in our Catholic schools deserves the Christ the Teacher Award.

Each of the 12 outstanding educators for 2007 was recognized, introduced individually by the principals of the schools in which they teach. The 12 included: Angie Algarin, language arts teacher at St. John the Baptist Middle School, Draper; Angela Crossman, first grade teacher at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Sandy; Robyn Giovacchini, assistant principal at St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School, Salt Lake City; Andrea Hall, sixth grade teacher at the Madeleine Choir School in Salt Lake City; Jim Hamburge, principal at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Salt Lake City; Rhea Hristou, second grade teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School; Kathleen Kilby, librarian and technology coordinator at St. Francis Xavier Regional School, Kearns; Shelly Luna, pre-kindergarten teacher at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School; Mary McConnell, social studies department chairwoman at Juan Diego Catholic High School, Draper; Matthew Pack, middle school language arts teacher at St. Olaf Elementary School, Bountiful; Sherry Stanley, social studies teacher at St. John the Baptist Middle School, Draper; and Mary Williams, kindergarten teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School.

Combined, the 12 outstanding educators for 2007 have taught in the diocesan schools for 94 years. They were described with such glowing words and phrases as enthusiastic, possessing a love of learning, nurturing, and caring. They were recognized for pursuing their own further educations, for sharing the joy of learning, and inspiring children to love to learn, while expecting little thanks.

The top three educators for 2007 were Jim Hamburge, principal of Judge Memorial Catholic School; Rhea Hristou, of St. Vincent de Paul School; and Mary McConnell of Juan Diego Catholic High School. Principal Dr. Gabriel Colosimo received McConnell’s award on her behalf because McConnell, who also is the school’s debate coach, was out of state at a debate tournament with the school team.

McConnell had not wanted her name submitted for the award, Dr. Colosimo told the Intermountain Catholic, "Because she didn’t think she was worthy of it. This award acknowledges teachers’ work and dedication in front of their peer group and as representatives of their schools. The value of the award in intrinsic. It isn’t a $10,000 award and it isn’t external. Mary is extremely modest. She comes to education as a real minister who wants to use the many talents God had given her for the good of others."

Dr. Colosimo described McConnell as a woman who had successful careers with the United States Government and in the private sector. "Mary could do anything she wants, but instead, she chooses to teach in our school. She gives a real gift."

Hamburge said he accepted the award for Outstanding Administrator in honor of all his colleagues at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. "We don’t accomplish anything without all the people on our team; our teachers, coaches, counselors, maintenance staff. They make the administrators look good and the administrators get the award. I hope everyone in the Judge Memorial community feels a part of this award."

Hristou, who has taught in diocesan Catholic schools for 13 years, said she loves teaching, "because every day, my job is different."

She describes her second-graders as "funny. They love you no matter what you look like or wear." She said there are a lot of deserving people, outstanding educators, who were not named. "I am just one piece in a great big puzzle."