As I am writing this article, it is Teacher Appreciation Week. It will be over by the time you are reading this article, but after what has transpired with COVID these last couple of years, I am convinced that the teachers in our Catholic schools need more than just a week.
During these past few years, when many schools remained closed, the principals, teachers, and staff at all Catholic schools throughout the diocese worked tirelessly to ensure that kids were not only able to go to school in person, but they made it safe for them to be there as well.
During this time, schools across the diocese worked hand in hand with the Office of Catholic Schools and diocesan employees to ensure that protocols were put into place and the high academic standards were still upheld and achieved.
Schools’ mission
The mission of our Catholic schools is to “cultivate a love for Christ and His Church by inviting students and the entire school community to meet and know Jesus and embrace a loving God.
“Catholic schools seek to assist parents with excellent moral and academic formation for their children, developing the talents of all students, and fostering a commitment to service, justice, and the sanctity of human life”.
Through a gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal (ACA), you are enabling this mission to be achieved.
The Annual Catholic Appeal provides support services to schools and also helps with the training and support of our principals, teachers, and staff.
Through the ACA and the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, schools are educated in best practices in Catholic identity, development, marketing, curriculum assessment, technology, and human resource management.
In addition, teachers are able to utilize mentor training and learn best practices for curriculum, technology, new teaching methods, and student assessment.
All of this is provided with the intent of allowing students to achieve high academic success while still keeping Christ at the center of it all.
Catholic schools play a critical role in passing on the faith and forming future generations that will keep our parishes vibrant communities of faith, worship, and service.
Support schools
If you have already made a gift to this year’s ACA, thank you for your support If you have not, consider supporting our Catholic schools and all the ministries and programs funded through the ACA by making a gift today.
Visit www.madisondiocese.org/ch to donate.
Kristen Beckett is the director of annual appeals for the Office of Stewardship and Development in the Diocese of Madison.