Presenting the sixth annual St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor
We asked people from across the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois what Catholic teacher in our schools is making a big difference in the classroom? What teacher goes above and beyond, someone whose impact is deep and personal? What teacher authentically lives out what it means to be Catholic and instills our faith into his or her students? What teacher embodies St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who founded Catholic schools in the United States?
The Office for Catholic Schools and Office for Communications for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, organizers of the award, received more than 100 nominations from all across the diocese from principals, teachers, parents, priests, previous students, and current students this year. Nominations were reviewed by the Office for Catholic Education who then narrowed the list to five finalists, which Catholic Times presents in this edition along with quotes taken from nomination forms. Catholic Times will reveal the winner of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in the May 25 edition. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and thank you to all our teachers for their hard work and dedication!
Nan Wood
Music/Computers
St. Dominic Catholic School — Quincy
“Mrs. Wood has been the kindest and sweetest teacher to our son, Oliver. She first taught him in preschool, and he would come home with stories of how much fun he would have with Mrs. Wood. Fast forward to kindergarten and having her greet him every morning in the drop-off line and seeing how happy they both are to see each other just makes my heart swell with happiness. She has been a great role model and teacher and supporter to Oliver and all the children at St. Dominic’s and deserves all the recognition possible!
Alyssa Little, school parent
“Mrs. Wood can be found every morning outside in the drop-off line, unloading children and helping them into school. It is so sweet when Mrs. Wood is right there opening car doors to help my children out, especially my child, Memphis, who, being in kindergarten, needs some assistance. Always there with a sweet smile on her face is Mrs. Wood, ‘Welcome Memphis, how is my favorite Kindergartener?” As a parent, you pull away knowing he is in great hands. Memphis loves when it is music day. He gets to sing about God, because ‘God loves to hear His children sing,’ he says. Mrs. Wood can also be found in all the other classrooms when other teachers are out sick. Memphis’ favorite words from Mrs. Wood are, “God love all of us.’”
Marilyn Rossiter, school parent
Jane Aumann
Theology
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School — Springfield
“Mrs. Aumann was my daughter’s Theology teacher during her freshman year at Sacred Heart-Griffin. It was a time of turbulence trying to adjust to high school after attending a small, close knit Catholic primary school. During this time, I received emails from Mrs. Aumann telling me her thoughts on my daughter, Anna. Mrs. Aumann wrote this once to me, ‘Anna is so thoughtful and kind! I love when she stops by to visit and just share things with me about her day. She is an all-around excellent student, but it is her kindness that stands out to me the most. I look forward to watching her succeed and grow at SHG!’
“As a concerned parent of a freshman adjusting to high school, I cannot describe how much these emails meant to me. When I asked Anna about Mrs. Aumann, she told me how kind and patient she was in teaching Theology, and how she spent time with all the students explaining the Bible. My daughter mentioned weekly the kindness Mrs. Aumann showed allowing her to ‘drop’ in between classes, and be a touchstone for her, even after Anna was no longer in her class.
“All these situations describe an educator who not only taught the values of Christ, but also exhibited them to her students.”Ann Denoyer, parent of student
“Mrs. Aumann is always passionate about sharing the joys of the Catholic faith with students. She sees teaching Theology as an opportunity to help us learn more about God and His Kingdom, not just as an extra required subject that she has to grade us for. Every class, she is always patient with us and puts forth the time and effort to support her students. I once wrote in an assignment about my father who passed away, and she left me a very kind note that was uplifting and motivating. That short note meant more to me than she might know. It made me feel a closer connection to her, which I don’t always have with every teacher. It was touching that she went out of her way to write me something meaningful instead of just grading it. She also always lets me do favors for her and is super appreciative no matter what the work is, which makes me feel so good about doing it. In class, she encourages us to look to God in times of trouble and gives us advice to succeed in our academics. Mrs. Aumann is the ultimate example of a teacher who strives for academic excellence and simultaneously focuses on building Catholic faith and community in her class. I am truly grateful and beyond lucky to have her as my teacher.”
Oceana Huang, current student
Stephanie Pryor
Science
Little Flower Catholic School — Springfield
“Mrs. Pryor started teaching my grandson in the fourth grade and taught him all the way through eighth grade. She has been a big part in his life, helping him out with issues at school and some personal issues at home. At times, he was struggling with his subjects and grades, and by the time he graduated, he succeeded through his issues and got on the be honor roll with the help of Mrs. Pryor. To this day, she still communicates with my grandson, and he as well will reach out to her if he has some issues or concerns and talks them out with her. I really care for Mrs. Pryor for stepping up and being a great help in my grandson’s life and is still being a big help in his life today.”
Letitia Petersen, grandparent of student
“Mrs. Pryor was my son’s first teacher at LFS, after (leaving) Calvery School. Mrs. Pryor, throughout the last four years, has been an absolute blessing. She takes time with my son to assure that he gets any help needed, listens to him when he has anger issues and problems, and helps him when he is struggling academically. She has helped him on weekends and when he was gone on break and needed the extra help. My son has ADHD, and she has been a blessing for him. I always tell everyone that if it weren’t for Mrs. Pryor, my son wouldn’t be where he is today. She has pushed him to grow and evolve into a very smart young man. I appreciate her beyond words can explain.”
Megan Lucas, parent of student
Randy Dickman
Religion/Science/Life Skills
St. John Neumann — Maryville
“Mr. Dickman is the very fiber of faith-inspired teaching. Within his classroom, he consistently illustrates to the students how faith influences and works through academics, historical places and events, and how to live in your faith through hard work and supporting others with a loving heart. His Social Studies/Religion project, tying geography, history and exploring our faith by planning a family vacation, has energized my student and my family as we shared in an experience that will forever bind our hearts and enrich our spirits. Mr. Dickman is deserving of this award for all the ways he inspires and models our Catholic faith!”
Kathryn Horvath, parent of student
“Mr. Dickman teaches our kids to pray and to take care of the sick and elderly. He does this with various lessons in class. The students make care packages, learn how to care for those who are sick, and they make cards for those in the local nursing homes. Mr. Dickman’s addition to our school has been such a blessing to the students. He is an amazing role model for the young boys and girls at our school as he models what it means to be a good Christian man every day. Mr. Dickman comes up with original lesson plans for Science, helping the kids learn about and appreciate God’s creation. Mr. Dickman also created a Life Skills class where he taught students to change tires on their cars, fix a door, and cook an easy crockpot meal. The students also made a prayer bench for our outdoor grotto. This outdoor grotto is a work in progress thought up by Mr. Dickman to be a place where students and faculty can come to pray each day. Mr. Dickman also volunteers his time and talents with after-school clubs such as the Drama Club and Student Council. Mr. Dickman wants to help students thrive in the community and in their future workplaces. He also shows the students how to be great Christians by setting a good example each and every day.”
Ann Williams, parent of student
Pamela Martin-Hull
Third grade
St. Patrick Catholic School — Decatur
“Pam is in her 35th year of teaching, and every single one of those years has been spent at St. Patrick School in third grade. When you think of St. Patrick School, you think of Mrs. Martin-Hull. She continues to learn the latest things in education by taking classes or attending conferences, because she wants to bring something new to her classroom year after year. This year she said to me, ‘I’ve never done it the same way,’ in reference to her classroom and teaching each year. She is the teacher parents want their kids to have, and kids want to have.
“Pam goes above and beyond at work, and she usually volunteers to take on projects, do planning, and pitch in with most of what makes our school work! Pam is our lead teacher, and many of her colleagues and friends come to her for help with various things. She is kind and patient and wants to make sure those around her feel comfortable and good in their job.
“She is active in the Church and takes pride in preparing students for their first reconciliation, first Communion, and confirmation. There is no doubt that her students are more than ready to receive these sacraments under Pam’s leadership.”Amy Yusko, principal
“We started attending St. Patrick School in 2012 when our lovely first daughter, Kara, entered Pre-K 3. Kara, since then has graduated from St. Patrick’s. She took a lot of advice and lessons from St. Patrick’s, and it is still instilled in her today.
“However, the person whom she learned from the most is her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Pamela Martin-Hull. Mrs. Martin-Hull is a kind, passionate, and devout teacher. Through her teaching, she incorporates aspects of religion within every subject, and I admire her for that. Not only does she incorporate God’s teaching in everything, but she lives out God’s teachings. Her teaching style, in Religion especially, is very eloquent and knowledgeable. Every day, after my daughter would leave her class, she would return home with something fresh and new. Mrs. Martin-Hull kept everything very fluent and organized and in a way, raised our daughter with important teachings of the Catholic faith that she still uses today.
“One of her favorite quotes from her favorite teacher is, ‘You are free to choose, but not free from the consequences.’ This advice is applicable to our everyday faith lives.”
Cynthia Okpalike, parent of student