Arlington, Va.—Donna Walter, eighth-grade language arts teacher at St. Pius/St. Leo School in Omaha, Neb., has earned the 2012 Distinguished Teacher Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
Walter will be honored at an awards ceremony during the association's annual convention April 11–13 in Boston, Mass.
"I want each student to realize that the lessons of the Gospels are relevant today and to apply them to the choices they make," Walter said in describing her educational philosophy. "They should know that being your brother's keeper means the student beside you in class, an opponent on a team, the orphan in the slums of India, a parent or the restaurant waiter. All need to be treated with dignity and respect."
Principal Joyce Gubbels cited Walter's work over the years to increase her knowledge of hatred in the world and develop study units on the topic. "She works so hard to help students understand and respect each other's diversity," Gubbels said. "She makes students and staff aware of educational opportunities in our community to further their knowledge of the Holocaust and interfaith affairs."
Walter 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.
- Cheryl Mitchell Guess, St. Vincent de Paul School, San Diego, Calif.
- 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.
"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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