The Saint Thomas Aquinas Award for Excellence in Education Award was established in 2020 to honor an exceptional Catholic teacher/educator. The following are the key criteria considered in the selection of the recipient:
● Demonstrates a lived commitment to faith
● Inspires students to grow and to use their gifts well
● Engages students, families and co-workers with humility, patience and respect
● Creates a positive, warm environment within the school community
● Is dedicated to the school and its mission
● Consistently goes above and beyond, doing what is needed
● Pursues excellence in his/her area of service
This year’s recipient, Shannon Mitchell, takes the time to know each student whether or not they are in her class. She values them as individuals and finds out how to help them by meeting them where they are. She cares for our students from the time they walk in to the time they walk out. She has or her finger on the pulse of every child in our building. She quietly goes about the day making each child feel seen, cared for and loved. She takes care of everyone.
She has a devotion to her teaching and to her students whether it be in her classroom, at lunch or after school. Her teaching style is to ask students questions and provide hints to help the students arrive at the answer. She helps students sift through the information and, with her help, allows them to arrive at the answer. She meets the students where they are and is unflagging in her pursuit to reach each student.She commands the respect of her students.
A former student wrote, “In her classroom, I always feel safe and able to trust her. She makes me feel like making mistakes is ok, and I know she will help me understand the concept if I don’t get it the first time.” She is devoted to her family, her students and her coworkers and is a model of Christian charity and excellence.
