Denver Catholic

Bill Moore All Souls, Englewood Principal Bill Moore has spent 30 of his 43 years in education at All Souls School. "I love all Souls," he said. "The parent community is phenomenal here. The student body is incredible. They are truly a gift to me. They have really kept me young." He announced his retire- ment this year before students and faculty honored him for his dedication to the school . Moore earned his bachelor's degree from Lewis University in Illinois and his master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University. Working in education is a tra- dition for his family. Both his wife, Paula, and his daughter, Kathleen Riccio, are special education teachers. He fi rst taught at an in- ner-city middle school in Chicago before teaching at a Catholic high school in Bay City, Mich., and another mid- dle school in Jackson, Mich. Since joining All Souls, Moore said the school phi- losophy on which he's led the school is based on accepting all children. "All Souls does not have an application form to attend our school, nor do we want to test children," he said. "We believe strongly if the Holy Spirit brings you to this door, he brought you for a reason." He's proud of the school's gifted and talented program, which accepts and instructs students with special needs. After leaving the school this year, Moore said he will most remember the graduates who've become part of the faculty and the generations of families who've attended. Each child and staff member has been a joy, he said. 6 I EDUCATION FEBRUARY 5, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Creating a love for learning Catholic educators of the Denver Archdiocese are being recognized this week for their years of dedication to teaching. Profi les of the teachers celebrating their 35- and 30-year anniversaries follow. Kathy Lancaster St. Vincent de Paul School, Denver Kathy Lancaster has spent her career working to bring the youngest of students closer to Christ. For most of her 36-year Catholic school teaching ca- reer, Lancaster developed St. Vincent de Paul School's preschool program. "In building the preschool program, Mrs. Lancaster made sure that the development of the whole child was sought at school and supported at home," said the principal, Dominican Sister Maria Ivana Begovic. Lancaster began teaching kindergarten at Holy Rosary School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Ten years later, she came to teach at St. Vincent de Paul in the preschool program. She di- rected it for 33 years, during which time it grew and fl ourished, Sister Begovic said. "Mrs. Lancaster put her gift of teach- ing at the Lord's service, which has born great fruit in the lives of countless children and their families. In work and in play, the children under her care develop a relationship with Jesus, recog- nizing in him the source of all wonders of creation," she said. Lancaster also works as a reading specialist. Colleagues say they can testify to meeting Christ through her work, words, prayer and presence at the school. Linda McDonnell Notre Dame School, Denver For the last 24 years of her total of 35 years in Catholic education, Linda McDonnell has taught fi fth grade at Notre Dame School. "Although the world has changed in many ways," she said, "the things I value are still present in Catholic schools: they are a love of God, a caring community and high academic standards. "That is what makes teaching in a Catholic School more than just a job." McDonnell, born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., attended Catholic schools for 16 years. Following graduation from St. John's University in New York City and teaching one year, she got married and moved to Colorado. Her fi rst teaching position in the Centenni- al State was with Sacred Heart School in Denver for two years, followed by nine years at Our Lady of Fatima in Lakewood until the birth of her daugh- ter. Once her daughter started school, McDonnell returned to teaching, join- ing the staff at Notre Dame. "I have had many great experiences and wonderful memories during the past 35 years of teaching," she added. Kathleen Daly Notre Dame School, Denver What Kathleen Daly has liked best about teaching in Catholic schools the last 30 years are the simple things: "daily smiles and hugs I receive from my students, the satisfaction of watching a child learn something, and how excited kids get to spread their faith and energy into being servant leaders." Daly, a Denver native, has spent all 30 of those years at Notre Dame, where she has taught in the junior high, fi fth and sixth grades, as well as her current position for the past 16 years: fi rst grade. "I love the Notre Dame community of people," she said, "and have made lifelong friends with my students and their families." Teaching the minds, she said, and touching the hearts of each student is at the center of her educational philosophy. "Kids are kids, no mat- ter how much society has changed," she continued. "My job is to do the best I can do to help children reach their full potential." Jennifer Dawson St. Francis de Sales School, Denver A stu- dent's edu- cation, said fourth-grade teacher Jen- nifer Daw- son, should create in them a love for learning. "A school should be a place where the child can fi nd an environment that not only nur- tures them, but also challenges them. A school should be a place where dreams begin and the education received should lead to the fulfi llment of that dream," Dawson said. Dawson received her bach- elor's in elementary education from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and a mas- ter's in religious education and family ministry from Fordham University in New York. She also earned her principal licensure certifi cate from the University of Phoenix in Denver. She began teaching at St. Joseph School in Salida before also teaching at Denver's St. Philomena, Good Shepherd and Guardian Angels schools. She also served as assistant principal at Our Lady of Fatima School in Lakewood. Dawson returned to St. Fran- cis de Sales School where she's taught nearly every elementary grade. She said a Catholic educa- tion should be available to all children, where they can learn religion and grow in an accept- ing environment. Cecelia Gartland Christ the King School, Denver Teacher Cecelia Gartland said she believes all children de- serve a se- cure, caring and stimulating environment in which they can grow. "As a Catholic teacher and mentor, it is my desire to help my students reach their full potential and to help them to learn respect for all people," she said. For 30 years Gartland has taught at Christ the King School as a lab resource teach- er, elementary science and fourth-grade teacher. She's taught fourth grade for the last 17 years. "I have remained in Catholic education because as an ed- ucator I must be able to teach and live my faith every day. I want every child to realize their God-given gifts and to share them with others," she said. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary educa- tion from Regis University. Af- ter that, she joined the faculty at Christ the King. Gartland said she feels blessed to have the gift of faith, something she works to pass on to her students. "The community of Christ the King has embraced me for the past 30 years, and I feel fortunate to have worked with so many great families," she said. Joan Geldaker-Martinez Notre Dame School, Denver Thir- ty-year educator Joan Gelda- ker-Marti- nez began her teach- ing career in Catholic schools in the preschool and kindergarten program at Notre Dame in 1983. "I am excited to be a part of Notre Dame Catholic School's Early Learning Center," she said. "And I am extremely ex- cited to be given the privilege to continue my work here as the director of the center." Though she has worked in education many years, her enthusiasm remains strong as she continues to study early childhood education and "feel passionate about the impor- tance of educating young children." "I truly believe that children become lifelong learners in their early years," she said, "and I am glad to be a part of those years." Geldaker-Martinez and her husband of four years live in Lakewood. The couple enjoys spending time walking their dog Bailey, reading and traveling. "I am very happy to be a part of continuing the strong tradition of Catholic educa- tion here at Notre Dame," she added. Rebecca Peel Christ the King School, Denver Rebecca Peel has op- erated her classrooms under the following philosophy: "Every child is special and every child can learn." "When we work with our children, we look for some special quality in every one," she said. They then work to have students share their abilities others with others, she added. Peel's teaching career began after she graduated from Illi- nois State University in Normal, Ill., with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and art. Peel then taught at public and private schools in Green Bay, Wis., Foxpark, Wyo., and in Denver. She joined Christ the King School, where she's taught preschool through fourth-grades for 30 years. Peel has spent most of her career teaching kindergar- ten and started the all-day kin- dergarten program 30 years ago. She said she travels extensively and has learned that "children are children" no matter where one goes. But she's always stayed at Christ the King where she's grown to love the school and its families. "I love the staff. I love the par- ents. I love the children," she said. "And I'm allowed to take my curriculum and expand it to cover all different areas." 30 YEARS 35 YEARS fi rst teaching position in the Centenni- Lakewood until the birth of her daugh-

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