St. Agnes Catholic Elementary, Phoenix, 2003
St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Phoenix, 2007
University of Notre Dame, Indiana, 2021
Background:
Six generations ago, my mother’s family moved to Phoenix. Two generations ago, my father’s family came here from Ohio. My parents met at St. Mary’s High School and started their family soon after graduating. I was born and raised in central Phoenix. I grew up as a member of the St. Agnes parish and received all my sacraments of initiation there. After graduating from St. Mary’s, I moved to Philadelphia and studied early childhood education. I loved Philadelphia but Phoenix was (and always will be!) home. I returned after receiving my bachelor’s degree and started teaching third grade at St. Agnes – the school I attended as a student. My classroom was my old art teacher’s classroom, and I even got the chance to teach alongside some of my former teachers! It was a joy to teach third grade and walk with families and children as they prepared for Confirmation and first Holy Communion. I have worked in the Diocese of Phoenix since 2012. I have taught kindergarten, third grade, technology, leadership, and served as assistant principal. I am currently preparing to leave Notre Dame Prep and move to St. Mary’s as the development director. I am very excited to start wearing green again!
What impact did Catholic schools have on you and your family?
Catholic schools have had a tremendous impact on me. The obvious impact is that I was educated in Catholic schools and have spent my entire professional career in Catholic schools. But it has been much more than that. Catholic schools have formed me into a person who seeks God and recognizes that we are a communal people. God did not make us to be alone; to do it alone. He constantly calls us to Him and He uses those around us to bring us closer to Him. I know this is true through the relationships that I still have from when I was a student and the relationships that I have formed as a teacher.
What Challenges/Obstacles, over the years, were you able to overcome that you would attribute to your Catholic education and Faith?
When I returned to Phoenix and started teaching third grade, I sought a deeper understanding of my faith so I could be able to navigate sacrament preparation with my students. I found this in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I trained in levels I and II. Turning toward God, seeking out additional knowledge of Him and His teachings, improved how I approached sacrament prep and how I approached teaching overall.
As I continued in my work as a classroom teacher, I did not know if I was in the right profession – if this was what God was calling me to do. I turned toward God in retreat at the Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux. And from this, joined the Remick Leadership Program at University of Notre Dame. This was a master’s degree program that brought together active Catholic school teachers and administrators from different dioceses across the US. We lived in community over the summers and being able to build relationships with persons in a different diocese doing similar work helped me to see the importance of the work – and it helped me to better see God in the work.
Catholic schools have kept me tethered to my faith and the Good Shepherd.
What is one or two special memories of your Catholic School Experience that you would like to share?
The St. Agnes Fiesta was always a treat! I got to spend the entire weekend with my friends while my parents worked different booths – they were always nearby but I felt so much freedom. I could eat frybread and go on the zipper as many times as I wanted…so long as I was back in time for the auction!
