Dear Catholic Academy and Parish School Teachers,
The past three months have taught us that we are at our best when we work together toward a common goal. For our teachers, your common goal was to educate your children in a community of faith. I have been inspired by your strength and resilience throughout this crisis. Handed a Herculean task, you have risen to meet this challenge with dedication, talent, and love for your students that is nothing short of heroic.
So, dear teachers, as you move closer to the final days of the 2019-2020 school year, please do for yourselves, as you did each day for each child in your class; acknowledge your gifts and talents, your kindness and warmth, your hard work and dedication. Remember the faces of the students who told you through their computer screen how much they missed you, the families who thanked you for all you had done for their child, the kids who gave you pause to smile and even laugh, during these past three months.
I end this letter with my sincere thanks and appreciation for your commitment to Catholic education, as you delivered a Christ-centered instructional program, providing each child with the individual attention and support they need to reach their full potential.
Pope Francis frequently speaks of the importance of our teachers in promoting the faith. I would like to close with a special quote from our Holy Father: Educating isn’t a profession but an attitude, a way of being. In order to educate you must go out of yourselves and amidst the young, accompanying them in stages of their growth, standing beside them…
Christ, Teacher and Lord,
Bless all in this school as we seek to end our year
with the grace You so generously provide.
We give thanks for the students and the faculty, the administrators,
and all who have contributed to this year of nurturing and growth.
We affirm all the positive moments:
Of insight, of the excitement of learning,
Of accomplishment, of creativity,
Of laughter, of a sense of community.
We recognize the times of struggle, of difficult work,
of misunderstanding,
Even of failure…
We give these to You for transformation,
So they can become seeds that will find fertile soil.
As we leave for the summer,
May we take with us the knowledge
that You will keep us all in Your embrace
so we may rest and be restored,
And so we can continue in the ongoing discovery of Your Love.
Amen.
With respect and appreciation for all you do.
Continued prayers and blessings for you!
Sincerely,
Thomas Chadzutko
Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D.
Superintendent ~ Catholic School Support Services