Many people say they love Catholic schools because of the family-like atmosphere. For Kathy and Rich Sbarra, the family connection is literal. Kathy is a third grade teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Regional School in Berlin. Her husband Rich is the plant maintenance manager for the school and host parish Saint Simon Stock. Together, the Sbarras bring deep family ties and a lifelong love of Catholic schools to work every day.
Kathy said her grandmother and great aunt were active volunteers for Catholic education. And she recalls her father’s generosity when she launched her teaching career at Annunciation Catholic School in Bellmawr more than 38 years ago. She was living at home at the time and realized how many families struggled to pay tuition.
“One day my dad left a check on the table. He said ‘take whatever you need.’ We weren’t rich either, but he loved Catholic education,” said Kathy. “He ended up sponsoring students for about 10 years.”
She said he helped five families during that time.
Kathy has spent her entire career teaching in the Diocese of Camden, the last 17 years at OLMC.
When Rich decided 27 years was long enough in the auto body repair field, he thought about starting his own business, providing painting, sheet work and carpentry services. That’s when Kathy heard about the maintenance position at the parish and school. Rich figured he would learn more; 16 years later he says it’s worked out great. He said his favorite part of the job is the students.
“The kids are fun and polite. They always have a nice ‘hello, how is your day?’ In everything they are asked to do, they do the best they can, from the little ones up to seventh and eighth grades. It’s like having a school full of helpers … 150 foremen,” said Rich.
He added that he’s never seen students happier to be back in school than they were last September. “It’s good to see them laugh.”
“The little kids always want to help ‘Mr. Rich’,” confirmed school principal Alice Malloy. “He calls them his posse,” although, as she pointed out, the posse is unable to help during COVID times.
Rich attributes a Catholic school education to the success of his own three children, who he said all have jobs helping others. Several of Rich and Kathy’s grandchildren have attended Catholic school in the Diocese of Camden as well.
Kathy and Rich both said they felt positive about coming back to school in September. Rich was integral to the facilities management protocols that enabled the school to open, and he comes in every weekend to thoroughly disinfect all surfaces with an electrostatic sprayer.
Kathy was among the many teachers who wanted to be back in the classroom, in person, with her students.
“I wasn’t too nervous or scared,” she said. “After 30 years I think I’m bullet proof.” She also commented on the excellent job Principal Malloy did with planning and precautions.
And when it comes to keeping the building safe and clean, she has complete confidence in the maintenance guy.
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