Teachers applaud Marilyn Pace, the 2022 Outstanding Catholic School Educator of the Year, during the July 29, 2022 Celebration of Catholic Schools event at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School in Henderson, Ky. TINA KASEY | WKC
Catholic Schools Office announces Marilyn Pace as 2022 Outstanding Catholic School Educator of the Year
Editor’s note: The following was read by assistant superintendent Jo Ann Mathieson at the July 29, 2022 Celebration of Catholic Schools event held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School in Henderson, Ky.
This teacher embodies every characteristic that could be desired in an outstanding Catholic educator.
Next year will be this teacher’s 50th year in Catholic education.
This teacher began her career as an English and French teacher, where she developed a reputation for being a very student-oriented educator whose instructional skills prepared her students for college, the workforce and adult life. After teaching in the classroom, she accepted the position as media specialist and modernized the library and media platforms in her school so that all students could access a variety of materials needed for all types of assignments and research.
Throughout that time, this teacher continued to teach classes part-time when called upon while still meeting the demands in the media center. She has assisted students and staff in so many areas and sponsors and meets with her book club. When many are slowing down towards the end of their career, this teacher asked and volunteered to organize our all-school reading program to not only increase literacy levels, but promote reading for enjoyment for all levels of students.
For her efforts over the years, she was nominated in 2021 by the Kentucky Association of School Librarians for a lifetime achievement award.
The following quote from a current English teacher and former student of hers says it all:
“I wasn’t a great student, but I was able to connect with her. She made assignments that were relevant to the less motivated student like me. She spoke a lot about life after high school and it was apparent to all of us that she cared about us all – not just the advanced students. She is one of the reasons I became an English teacher. There are certain people you just think of when you think Owensboro Catholic High school and she is one of those people.”
Please help me in congratulating Ms. Marilyn Pace of Owensboro Catholic High School as the 2022 Outstanding Catholic School Educator of the Year.
Superintendent David Kessler with Marilyn Pace, the 2022 Outstanding Catholic School Educator of the Year. TINA KASEY | WKC
Originally printed in the September 2022 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
