CHICAGO (January 29, 2003)

Fourteen Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic elementary and high school teachers will be honored for their accomplishments in a 10:30 a.m. ceremony today at
St. Stanislaus Kostka School, 1255 N. Noble St., Chicago.

In addition, the Archdiocese will recognize one of its principals who is one of 12 educators to receive the 2003 Distinguished Principal Award from the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).

The 14 Catholic school teachers will be presented with “Heart of the School Awards for Teacher Recognition” by Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, Ph.D., superintendent of schools. “The men and women who dedicate themselves to teaching in the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools live the mission of the Church every day and demonstrate enthusiasm, energy and spiritual commitment to our students,” said Dr. Wolsonovich. “The teachers honored today display extraordinary dedication to the ministry of education, and their individual contributions add to the quality of each student’s experience in our schools.”

The awards recognize outstanding, unique and innovative accomplishments of individual teachers at Archdiocese of Chicago schools. Two awards will be presented in each of seven categories:

? Peace and Justice: Thomas Stein of Franklin Park, Ill., who teaches social science at Mother Guerin High School in River Grove, Ill.; and Suzanne Wille of Chicago, who teaches English at Queen of Peace High School in Burbank, Ill.

? Leadership: Maria Hurtado of Franklin Park, Ill., who teaches preschool at St. Beatrice School in Schiller Park, Ill.; and Marianne Lynch of Chicago, who teaches social studies at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester, Ill.

? Innovation and Creativity: Nancy Trefilek of Niles, Ill., who teaches first grade at St. Juliana School, 7400 W. Touhy, Chicago; and Diana Mae Munoz Yang of Lemont, Ill., who teaches kindergarten at St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School in Lemont, Ill.

? Technology: Joyce Campobasso of Wheeling, Ill., who teaches computer class at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove, Ill.; and Patricia Reed of Chicago, who teaches computer class at St. John Fisher School, 10200 S. Washtenaw, Chicago.

? Evangelization and Religious Education: Br. Jordan Kelly, O.P., of River Forest, Ill., who teaches theology at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill.; and Sr. Pauline Logsdon, O.S.F., of Oak Lawn, Ill., who teaches gifted education reading at St. Gerald School in Oak Lawn, Ill.

? The Arts: Agnes Footman-Payne of Chicago, who teaches art at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, 3820 N. Spaulding Ave., Chicago; and Carol Molenda of Chicago, who teaches art at St. Benedict High School, 3900 N. Leavitt, Chicago.

? Rising Star: Mary Mostyn of Chicago, who teaches fourth grade at St. Cornelius School, 5252 N. Long Ave., Chicago; and Jill Zielinski of Schaumburg, Ill., who teaches third grade at Mary, Seat of Wisdom School in Park Ridge, Ill.

The Heart of the School award winners each will receive a pin, a plaque and a monetary award provided by a corporate sponsor.

NCEA Award

Carol Kolberg, principal of St. Bartholomew School, 4941 W. Patterson Ave., Chicago, is one of 12 principals nationwide to receive the 2003 Distinguished Principal Award from the Department of Elementary Schools of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). The recipients of this award, which honors distinguished educational leaders, are from the 12 geographic regions that compose the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. These principals were chosen from a possible pool of 7,100 principals.

Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for 117,229 students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in the 290 elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are more than 6,400 teachers in the Catholic school system who instill values, teach discipline and achieve strong, consistent academic results in the Archdiocese of Chicago's 248 elementary and 42 secondary schools. Visit the Archdiocese of Chicago Website at http://schools.archchicago.org.

Editors Note: A summary news release of the Heart of the School award winners is attached.