Friday, March 7, 2008

I am so very pleased to announce that Mrs. Jo-Ann Colopy is the 2008 winner of the Msgr. Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching! This award is granted annually to a single teacher from among the elementary and high schools of the Diocese of Raleigh after a rigorous process of nominations, observations and interviews. With over 600 professional educators staffing our Catholic schools this is, indeed, a very great honor.

Mrs. Colopy holds the distinction of being the first faculty member (kindergarten!) for Saint Raphael Catholic School when it opened in 1993. She was then as she is now: deeply committed to educating children not only academically, but spiritually as well. She truly delights  in the learning process, no matter how small or slow, large or leaping. The successes and new attempts made by her students are causes for celebration; the mistakes and difficulties are only details to be challenged in another way. Mrs. Colopy is an educator’s educator: with all her experience, she yet continues to study and learn,  continually seeking new ways to reach each child. She is a Master Catechist, and she lives truthfully the faith she teaches.

In honoring Jo-Ann, the Lewis Award Committee has honored all we strive to be here at Saint Raphael. Our first recipient of the award, Sue Hoying, must be lighting heaven afire with celebration. -- We are too!

Please plan to join us on April 23, 2008, as Bishop Burbidge celebrates liturgy in Jo-Ann’s honor, and she is officially commended for her contributions to Catholic education. More information will be forthcoming.

For further information about the Lewis Award, please see their website: http://www.lewisaward.net/

Jo-Ann, we are so very proud of you!

Peace,

Joanna Burley

Principal