Thomas Iacovone Jr., principal of Gloucester Catholic High School, recalls a moment earlier this year when during senior night for the girls’ basketball team, one student’s parents were unable to attend.
Two teachers, acting as proxies, escorted the young woman onto the court with flowers in support of her accomplishments.
“The teachers are always here for the students,” Iacovone said, adding that their actions show young people they are worthy of dignity, love and respect.
Iacovone’s story was just one of many examples shared from within the Diocese of Camden as to why national Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated May 2-6, is important.
“I could not be doing this job without the teachers’ support, which I’ve gotten,” Iacovone said of the Gloucester City school’s staff.
At Camden’s Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral School – a Catholic Partnership School – Principal Kyle Orosz sees similar dedication and relationships fostered. “They [teachers] deserve respect; they work so hard year after year [in their mission] to live in the Catholic faith as an example to children.”
She also spoke of being an inner-city school, where 47% of teachers are of color, and 50% are proficient in English and Spanish. The student makeup is 88% Hispanic, 4% Black and 8% Asian, she said.
The teachers, Orosz said, demonstrate “a great deal of Catholic justice and acceptance” – always aware of and attentive to the needs “of the different cultures in our community.”
Educators are cognizant that “what they teach, students take out to their communities, and it affects their knowledge, behavior and religion,” Orosz said.
Expressing pride in the Catholic identity the teachers foster, she added, “We connect religion to every subject; it’s never far from [their lips].”
Iacovone agreed, saying, “It’s just as important to treat [the whole person] as it is to teach academics.”
While Iacovone didn’t want to ruin any planned surprises, Orosz said her school is looking forward to Teacher Appreciation Week events, including a coffee and donut bar, banners and balloons.
Teachers, she said, are “the kindest, most generous people, walking in Jesus’ footsteps. They are the face of Jesus.”
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