CHARLOTTE — St. Gabriel School fifth-grade teacher Meghan Hader received the “Fr. Frank O’Rourke Award for Excellence in Teaching” June 5 for her dedication to Catholic education.
This award, in its fourth year, is presented to one outstanding full-time St. Gabriel School teacher at the end of each school year. Nominated by school families, staff and fifth-grade students, Hader was recognized for being passionate about her students, going the extra mile to make learning fun and to build their confidence, and for the qualities of our Catholic faith that she exhibits in her work.
She is a graduate of the University of Dayton and has a master’s degree in elementary education from Wingate University.
St. Gabriel parishioners Herb and Tess Verbesey established this $10,000 award in honor of former pastor Father Frank O’Rourke, who retired in 2019.
The late Tess Verbesey had been a guidance counselor at Charlotte Catholic High School for many years. The Verbeseys have been longtime supporters of Catholic education and created a similar award at the high school in 2007.
To be eligible for the award, a teacher must teach full-time and have taught at St. Gabriel School for at least five years. Nominees must demonstrate a positive impact on students; exceptional dedication to Catholic education; commitment to the school’s overall mission and success; faith and mercy in their interactions with students, families and faculty; and best teaching practices.
One nomination for Hader noted, “She is passionate about her students, goes the extra mile for making learning fun and supporting her students.”
Another said, “She seems to have a way of building students’ confidence.”
— Catholic News Herald
Five faculty honored at May 29 graduation
CHARLOTTE — Charlotte Catholic High School recently recognized the 2020 winners of the Sister Paulette Williams Awards for Outstanding Service.
The 2020 winners are Jean Adamian (mathematics), Jeremy Kuhn (English), Dr. Leo Maganaras (science), Susan Montague (religion) and Shawn Panther (social studies).
In 2016, the CCHS Foundation established the Sister Paulette Williams Awards i to recognize members of the faculty whose exceptional dedication, knowledge and commitment inspires students.
These are teachers who consider the whole student, and encourage them to be their best in all aspects of their lives. They exhibit the best qualities of faith and mercy in their interaction with students as well as with colleagues. They consistently go above and beyond, making a difference in the lives of students and the school community.
The CCHS Foundation chose to name the awards in honor of Mercy Sister Paulette Williams, who played a key role in establishing the basis for Catholic education in Charlotte. She was a teacher at CCHS for five years, assistant principal for two years, and principal for 20 years. “Her leadership, dedication, guidance, and vision built our school into what you recognize today – a community leader in academics, arts and athletics,” said Principal Kurt Telford.
Any current member of the CCHS community – teachers, staff, parents, and students – may nominate a faculty member for the Sister Paulette Awards. All are encouraged to participate, and this year, more than 50 nominations were received. A five-person committee, consisting of two CCHS Foundation board members, two past Sister Paulette Award winners, and one administrator, review the nominations and recommend the award winners to the CCHS Foundation Board for confirmation.
Rick Rossitch, president of the CCHS Foundation, announced the Sister Paulette Williams Award winners before graduation May 29. Each winner receives an award for $5,000.
“We congratulate these dedicated teachers,” Telford said. “These awards validate, honor and encourage these educators. They are an expression of thanks for all these teachers do every day, above and beyond what is expected, to make a difference in the lives of our young people and our school community.”
— Sally McArdle