Cheryl Guess Chosen for National Distinguished Teacher Award

Arlington, Va.—Cheryl Mitchell Guess, seventh- and eighth-grade language arts, social studies and literature teacher at St. Vincent de Paul School in San Diego, Calif., has earned the 2012 Distinguished Teacher Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).

Guess will be honored at an awards ceremony during the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.

"I believe that positive thinking and respect for diversity are essential for reaffirming one's faith in God and self," Guess said in describing her philosophy of Catholic education.

"Cheryl is a very enthusiastic Catholic school educator whose first priority is the welfare of her students," said Sister Kathleen Walsh, St. Vincent de Paul principal. "Under her guidance, students achieve spectacular skills in literature and in the writing process."

A parent who endorsed Guess' nomination for the award said, "I have always found Cheryl to be a teacher that embraced her class as her own children. She took the time to get to know each of her students as individuals and was excellent at giving each student individual attention whenever it was necessary."

Guess is one of 12 teachers who will receive NCEA's top award for teachers this year. The following will also be honored:

• Sandy Anderson, St. John's Area School, Foley, Minn.
• Deborah Colina, St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Heidi Cozzolino, St. Pius X School, Westerly, R.I.
• Phyllis Dries, St. Patrick Catholic School, Louisville, Ky.
• Kimberly Elpers, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, Haubstadt, Ind.
• Colleen Linke, Catholic School of St. Eugene, Oklahoma City, Okla.
• Roberta Meringolo, St. Bernadette School, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Kolleen Murray, All Saints Catholic School, Spokane, Wash.
• Nora Sheets, St. Francis de Sales Central Catholic School, Morgantown, W.Va.
• Donna Urmey, St. Joseph Grade School, Toms River, N.J.
• Donna Walter, St. Pius X/St. Leo School, Omaha, Neb.

"Our Distinguished Teacher Award winners have demonstrated exceptional ability, dedication and results as Catholic educators," said Christian Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. "They also have earned the high regard of the peers, students and parents they work with every day. In honoring these teachers, we acknowledge the outstanding teachers in all Catholic elementary schools."

About the Convention
NCEA's annual convention—which draws educators, administrators, catechists, pastors and parents from throughout the nation—will offer informative sessions, liturgies and networking opportunities. The event at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center will also feature an exhibition of educational products and services from more than 300 companies.

Keynote speakers will include Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and Dr. Mary McDonald, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Memphis, Tenn.

The convocation of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors and the annual meeting of the Catholic Library Association will take place concurrently with the NCEA convention.

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 members include elementary schools, high schools, parish religious education programs and seminaries.

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