Nine educators from Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to receive national awards.

April 1, 2013

Catherine Rogan

WHEN: Tuesday, April 2, 2013
BY: Catherine Rogan, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Media Relations Specialist
 

HOUSTON – When more than 8,000 Catholic educators flock to Houston for the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Convention and Expo (April 2 to 4) one of the highlights will be the presentation of awards for outstanding performance and support for Catholic education. Nine of those awards will go to educators and organizations at Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

The awards are presented based upon nominations by superintendents, principals and others and a review by executive committees of the association. The recognitions are presented by association departments at various times throughout the three-day meeting.

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, extended warm congratulations to the Texas honorees, saying, “It is an honor to have Catholic educators from across the country and around the world in our Archdiocese and state. The special recognition of our local leaders is greatly appreciated.”

He added, “I am so pleased that these outstanding men and women and their schools and organizations are being recognized for their tremendous work and achievement in support of Catholic education.”

Educators and organizations from Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston are:
St. Francis de Sales School, Catherine T. McNamee Award. The award is given for leadership in promoting Catholic education that welcomes and serves cultural and economic diversity.
Janie Hengst, John Paul II Catholic School, Distinguished Principal Award, Elementary Schools Department.
Father Thomas Rafferty, St. Anthony of Padua School, The Woodlands, Distinguished Pastor Award, Elementary Schools Department.
Deborah Whalen, principal, St. Agnes Academy, Educational Excellence Award, Secondary Schools Department.
Dominic Madrid, teacher, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Sadlier Math Teacher Award.
Tammy Juarez, director of faith formation for Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Religious Education Excellence Award, Department of Religious Education.
St. Anne Catholic School, Outstanding Board Award, NCEA Department of Boards and Council.
St. Thomas More Catholic School, Sadlier Catholic Identity Award.
Prince of Peace Catholic School, Sadlier Catholic Identity Award.

According to NCEA President Karen Ristau, “It took NCEA a long time to get to Texas for a convention but we certainly are leaving behind a lot of plaques and memories for many of our Texas members who are doing such excellent work in the ministry of Catholic education.”

The NCEA Convention and Expo is being held in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

About NCEA
NCEA, founded in 1904, is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching mission of the church. NCEA's 200,000 members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.

About the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Catholic Schools:
• The Archdiocese has the largest private school system in Texas.
• There are currently 59 schools in through the counties of the Archdiocese.
• Approximately 18,000 students are enrolled.
• The schools serve students PreK-3 through 12th grade.
• All schools offer need-based tuition assistance for students.