Denver Catholic

BY DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER Several educators in the Archdiocese of Denver cele- brate 20-year anniversaries in Catholic schools this year. In the profiles to follow, each shares information about their experience or a quote about their teaching philosophy. Richard Asher Good Shepherd, Denver Position: Computer science teacher Before Richard Asher was a teacher at Good Shepherd, he earned a degree in geology from Indiana University and studied vertebrate paleontol- ogy at the University of Mon- tana. He is also a published scientific illustrator and was an oil and gas geologist for 16 years. He and his wife, Sigrid, have contributed their time and talent to Good Shepherd, which they say has rewarded them 10-fold. Joanne Baines Holy Trinity, Westminster Position: First grade teacher "I strive to create a warm, supportive environment which encourages children to become life-long learners," Baines said. On a personal note, she lives in Aurora with her husband, they have three grown children and two grand - children, and she loves to sew quilts, knit, hike and ride bikes. Suzanne Beski Mullen High School, Denver Position: Physical education teacher As a member of the inau- gural first grade class at Most Precious Blood School and an alumnus of St. Mary's Acade- my, Suzanne Beski has strong roots in Catholic education in Denver. Past teaching ex- perience includes serving at her alma mater and teaching pre-kindergarten at MPB, in a program established by her mother. She joined the Mullen staff in 2000 and was varsity swim coach from 2000 to 2007. Donna Bornhoft St. Mary, Greeley Position: Second-grade teacher "As a Catholic school educa- tor, my aim is to form the whole child to be a good citizen of the world, love God and neighbor, enter society with an under- standing of the need to be of ser- vice to others, and be confident in their academic skills in order to be productive and effective in society. I believe in creating an environment in my classroom that allows students to feel safe, secure and loved so that they will feel comfortable enough to take risks and ask questions." Lori Carroll Shrine of St. Anne, Arvada Position: Technology teacher "I try to help students develop the skills and talents required to use technology in a safe and ethnically correct way. I value creativity, humor and original thinking. Former students will often say 'Ms. Carroll taught me to think and to try to live my faith!'" Kerry Cote Guardian Angels, Denver Position: Physical education teacher, librarian, reading resource "I believe all children will perform at the highest level we expect them to achieve. I must continue to support and assist them as they journey down their educational paths, whether that path is smooth or bumpy. Additionally, I work to help the students accept each other and work with each oth- er despite the different talents and abilities they have been given by God." Beth Hansen St. Mary's Academy, Englewood Position: Cross divisional physical education teach- er and extended daycare director "Teaching can and will be a challenge. The challenge is to take those situations and turn them into a learning experi- ence for both the student and yourself. Students are full of unexplored ideas and ways of coming to a conclusion. How you draw that information out can encourage the student to learn more. Exploring what type of learning is best for the student, environment, subject and teacher, at times, is hit and miss." Mary Hays St. Thomas More, Centennial Position: Kindergarten teacher "I love teaching children how to read and about our Catholic faith. Teaching kindergarten is such a rewarding experience. I enjoy sharing with children all the many 'firsts' they will have in school: first day of school, first day of buddies at Mass, and the first report card are just a few of the many special times I get to share with them. I feel so very fortunate to have worked with parents who are so deeply invested in their child's Catholic education." Jeffrey Howard Regis Jesuit High School, Aurora Position: English teacher and assistant principal for faculty and curriculum "I believe the mission of Catholic education remains what it was when I started teaching in Catholic schools almost 25 years ago: bring- ing the countercultural gift of Christ to our students in a world that challenges them not to listen to it. We do that through math and science, En- glish and the arts, sports and activities and by allowing God to inspire our students through our work." Patricia "Bunny" Kehoe Shrine of St. Anne, Arvada Position: Second grade teacher When Patricia Kehoe is not teaching her second-graders, she enjoys traveling to places including Europe, the Baha- mas, Palestine, Israel, Costa Rica and Japan. Her hobbies include hiking, swimming, crocheting and spending time with her family. When she first started teaching at Shrine of St. Anne in 1994, Kehoe's daugh- ter, Danielle, was a student in her class. Monica Kreft-Muir Guardian Angels, Denver Position: First grade teacher "Being at Guardian Angels for 20 years has been an apos- tleship. The students, staff, Miss (Mary) Gold, and parents are very inspiring. It's refresh- ing to work in such a caring community. This is my 37th year overall in Catholic edu- cation, having spent 17 years teaching in my native country of Chile and 20 years here at Guardian Angels." Christopher Lambrecht Holy Trinity, Westminster Position: Middle school math, religion and grammar teacher "I believe that a Catholic ed- ucation is an investment in the future of our nation. A student in our school receives three things: a solid and well-round- ed academic foundation through a rigorous curriculum, a lifelong desire to learn and a willingness to ask the right questions, and a strong moral compass based on the teach- ings of Jesus." Sister Mary Rose Lieb, O.S.F. St. Francis de Sales, Denver Position: Principal "I am grateful every single day for the privilege of being able to serve in the apostolate of Cath- olic school education where teaching the whole person— one with body, mind and soul who is created in the image and likeness of God—as a whole per- son is the way of life throughout the school. I am unable to even imagine how one could serve as principal or teacher of history, math, reading, P.E., or any sub- ject—without classes, activities and every aspect of the school experience being totally per- meated with the knowledge and love of God and with the daily practice of our Catholic faith." Carol Mackey St. Bernadette, Lakewood Position: Middle school lan- guage arts "Having rapport with stu- dents is important to the suc- cess of both student and teach- er," according to Carol Mackey. The middle school teacher has spent 18 of her 20 teaching in the archdiocese at St. Bernadette's. She and her husband Tom have been married 42 years and enjoy being with their three children and three grandchildren. Andrew Rodgers St. Mary's Academy, Englewood Position: Middle school social studies teacher "I believe that all students can and want to learn given the proper environment, in- struction and motivation. Every student has the will and desire to learn. Students do, however, attain the level of success that people set for them. I, therefore, implore my students to set high goals for themselves and I do whatever it takes to help them achieve their objectives." Carol Ann Sass Regis Jesuit High School, Aurora Position: Librarian "Young people today are lov- ing, compassionate, creative and highly motivated. They, and society, face many serious chal- lenges. However, if the young people I work with are indica- tive of the future, our future is in good hands." Sylvia Trujillo Our Lady of Fatima, Lakewood Position: Second grade teacher "I love teaching in a Catholic school. I feel so honored to lis- ten to the students' pure and sincere prayers each day. Being a part of their Catholic faith for- mation is a responsibility I truly treasure." John Vess Holy Family High School, Broomfield Position: Chemistry teacher "The ability to learn is innate. It is up to educators to find the proper path, methods and re- sources to teach to different needs," Vess said. Before join- ing the staff of Holy Family, Vess worked on the Rio Grande Rail- road as director of safety rules and training for 20 years. 6 I EDUCATION FEBRUARY 19, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ADVERTISING FOCUS CALENDAR February 26 Education March 5 Ash Wednesday Gardening March 12 St. Patrick's Day Box Ads March 19 Seniors Knights of Columbus "Discernment Matters: Listening with the Ear of the Heart" Sr. Meg Funk, OSB, will be the featured speaker at the 21th Annual Conference of Contemplative Outreach of Colorado. Sr. Meg will explore discernment as "our relationship with the Holy Spirit" and discuss eight afflictive thoughts that hinder our practice. Sat. March 22 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $90; includes lunch Arvada Center for Arts & Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada To register, go to www.contemplativeoutreach-co.org or call (303) 698-7729. Contemplative Outreach Annual Conference 20-year educators bring countercultural gift of Christ to students AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE:

• Cover