Chicago, IL (February 2, 2007)-The Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Catholic Schools has named 14 elementary and secondary school teachers as their 2007 Heart of the School award winners, in recognition of outstanding, unique and innovative accomplishments by individual teachers and non-administrative professional staff members, in seven categories.

"These award-winning teachers showcase the exceptional dedication, leadership and service that exists in our Catholic schools. These dedicated professionals are delivering on the Archdiocese's commitment to provide our students a Catholic spiritual formation, as well as an excellent academic curriculum, while keeping our schools vitally involved in their communities," said Dr. Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, Superintendent, Office of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Chicago.

The 2007 Heart of the School award-winning teachers were chosen from a potential pool of more than 5,300 educators from 257 schools in Cook and Lake counties, and were presented with a pin, commemorative plaque and a monetary award at a breakfast gathering on January 26 at the Omni Hotel in Chicago. (The monetary awards were provided by the following corporate sponsors: Benziger Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, Catapult Learning, CDW-G, Comcast Corporation, Lifetouch National School Studios, Private School Aid Service, QSP/World's Finest Chocolate, and School Specialties, Inc.)

By category, the 2007 Heart of the School award-winning teachers are:

The Arts, for making outstanding contributions to instilling a love of the arts among students:

• Jamie Dixon of Gurnee is a seven-year teacher of music, band, and choir in grades PreK to 8 at Saint Joseph School in Round Lake who has spent the last four years instilling a love of music in her students while tripling the size of the music program. She differentiates herself through her unique ideas, like Recorder Karate, whereby students earn different colored "belts" as they progress, and to accommodate the growing popularity of rap and hip-hop music, her students-produce rap videos. Dixon and her students also perform at the Round Lake All District Band Festival and the Memorial Day Parade. For more information on St. Joseph School, located at 118 N. Lincoln Ave., Round Lake, visit www.stjosephrl.org or call 847-546-1720.
• Kristin McCreary of Chicago has taught Spanish to grades PreK to 8 at St. Josaphat School in Chicago for the last three years. In the immersion-style curriculum she developed, McCreary's students travel through different Spanish-speaking countries, learning local dances, what the people eat and do in their spare time, and the art each culture produces. Her students engage in projects like creating an art gallery of students' self-portraits made in a particular artist's style and her Total Physical Response Storytelling where students recreate stories by retelling or acting. Each June, McCreary and her students stage a play in Spanish for the entire school. She also holds a weekly Spanish club for students to learn more about Hispanic culture. For more information on St. Josaphat School, located at 2245 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, visit www.stjosaphat.com or call 773-549-0909.

Catholic School Identity and Mission, for displaying best practices in religious education while modeling a commitment to the promotion of peace and justice:

• Dawn M. Gasior of Chicago has spent the last 23 years of her 28-year teaching career at St. Symphorosa School in Chicago, where she has also encouraged and guided many new Catholic school teachers. Gasior appears in the 1992, 1996, 2005, and 2006 Who's Who Among American Teachers editions and was nominated for the Golden Apple Award in 1999 and 2005. By example, Gasior teaches the Gospel values of love and service by volunteering at the Public Action to Deliver Shelter and in helping her students and their families make placemats and cards that are donated along with clothing, toiletries and other items for the shelter's guests. For more information on St. Symphorosa School, located at 6125 S. Austin Ave., Chicago, visit www.stsymphorosaschool.org or call 773-585-6888.
• Paulette Stith of Mundelein is Religious Education Department Chair at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, where she has taught for 25 years while spearheading the Mandatory Ministry and Senior Kairos Retreat programs. Her student-centered teaching methods exemplify Catholic school identity and mission by inspiring students to explore their own faith development. Outside the classroom, Stith is active in the Strategic Planning Committee, the annual Washington D.C. March for Life, the Academic Leadership Team and the Freshman Advisory Team. She's been nominated multiple times for Who's Who Among America's Teachers and previous Heart of the School Awards. For more information on Carmel Catholic High School, located at One Carmel Pkwy., Mundelein, visit www.carmelhs.org or call 847-566-3000.

Innovation and Creativity, for exhibiting best educational practices by initiating and implementing new learning methods that contribute to curriculum development, student performance, and professional development:

• Catherine Ann Goll of Arlington Heights is a reading teacher at St. Norbert School in Northbrook, where she has been for six years while also working toward a master's degree in special education. Goll prides herself on innovative teaching methods and projects such as an election unit where students conducted research, wrote speeches, designed campaign posters, and held a mock gubernatorial election to encourage students to develop a better understanding of democracy and the importance of voting. For more information on St. Norbert School, located at 1817 Walters Ave., Northbrook, visit www.stnorbertschool.org or call 847-272-0051.
• Kristine Nader of Chicago is in her sixth year of teaching fifth grade science at St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge where she has created a hands-on classroom science lab with discovery centers. She serves as Science Chair, a member of the Technology Improvement Committee, an adviser to Student Council, is on the Curriculum Development Committee and a Rainbows leader. Her 18-year teaching career has taught her that all children can learn successfully. Accordingly, she tailors her teaching style to meet the needs of each child. She has created a no fail plan, which stresses scientific method rather than outcome, for Science Focus, St. Paul's Annual Science Fair. This approach has served as a model for many other schools. For more information on St. Paul of the Cross School located at 140 S. Northwest Hwy., Park Ridge, visit www.spc-school.net or call 847-825-6366.

Leadership, for exhibiting exceptional dedication in the classroom, school, and community in one or more of the following areas: student activities, parent/school organizations, school administration, or state or national professional teacher organizations.

• Lauren M. Costa of Chicago teaches first grade at St. Pascal School in Chicago where she has taught for seven of her 15-year career. A model of leadership for her students, Costa supervised the creation of a paper recycling program and a fundraising project to sponsor a child in India. She is also credited with transforming the Student Council election into a forum in which all qualified and passionate students can participate. She also streamlined the school's supply ordering and inventory process, is the go-to person for new teachers, and serves the parish as eucharistic minister and lector. For more information on St. Pascal School, located at 6143 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, visit www.stpascal.org or call 773-736-8806.
• Mary Vitulli of Highland Park is Assistant Principal and teaches math and social studies at St. James School in Highwood where she has been for 15 years. Vitulli spearheaded a three-year plan as head of the technology committee, and her team raised $40,000 for a new computer lab. Her greatest achievement is the school's bi-annual May Discovery Days, which provide students with the opportunity to go beyond daily instruction and curricula. Vitulli's various leadership skills have led her to be nominated for a Golden Apple Award, the Disney Award and the National Catholic Educational Association Sister Miriam Joseph Farrell Distinguished Teacher Award, among others. For more information on St. James School, located at 140 North Ave., Highwood, visit www.stjamesschool-hwd.org or call 847-432-2277.

Rising Star, for teachers of less than five years that exhibit vigor, excellence and innovative strategies in and outside the classroom:

• Sarah Buino of Chicago teaches English and world history at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, and has made an impact through her engaging lesson plans, determination to broaden her students' horizons and her dedication to extracurricular activities. In the classroom, she meets students' diverse needs, abilities and interests believing that by developing self-evaluative skills, students can build on their strengths and turn weaknesses into learning and self-improvement tools. Buino also encourages a positive learning environment by offering extra credit for community involvement. She is a cantor, sings with the choir and heads the school book club. For more information, visit www.quigley.org or call 312-787-9343.
• Teal Spencer of Grayslake is a Spanish teacher at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein. In a very short time, Spencer has made her mark through her teaching methods, extracurricular coaching activities and devotion to the school. Spencer also plans to lead a student service trip to San Diego over spring break where students will work with Habitat for Humanity, the local service chapter of Interfaith, and several needy Hispanic families. Spencer also helped write and revise several Understanding by Design documents to strengthen the school's curriculum. She leads the Spanish department's Professional Learning Team and is a member of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. For more information on Carmel Catholic High School, located at One Carmel Pkwy., Mundelein, visit www.carmelhs.org or call 847-566-3000.

Technology, for making outstanding contributions to integrating technology in education:

• Michael Hassett of Flossmoor is the Computer Technology teacher at Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor, where, in three years, he has revamped the school's core technology curriculum to a project-based series of assignments integrating various Microsoft applications. One assignment has students setting up their own travel agency complete with business cards and brochures and making a final PowerPoint presentation, thereby gaining real-life workplace skills. He has also integrated Photo Shop classes for the school's yearbook staff, promoted internet safety with parents and local police and created a classroom webpage. For more information on Infant Jesus of Prague School, located at 1101 Douglas Ave., Flossmoor, visit www.ijpparish.org or call 708-799-5200.
• Linda Tayler of Wauconda currently teaches technology to grades K to 8 at Transfiguration School in Wauconda, where she also serves as Assistant Principal. In the classroom, Tayler stresses the importance of integrating technology so students can gain the skills necessary to survive in today's technology-driven society. She also imparts her expertise to fellow faculty members across curricular areas by piloting TeacherEase, an online grading program for students and parents. For more information on Transfiguration School, located at 316 West Mill St., Wauconda, visit www.transfig-school.com or call 847-526-6311.

Behind the Scenes, for non-administrative staff persons who contribute to unique program successes:

• Anthony Rosinia of Chicago is Senior Director of Information Systems at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. In seven years, Rosinia has helped build a support system to aid faculty with the implementation of technology via a wireless network, created the school's first modern languages lab and instituted Parent Auction, which raises essential school funds online. He also wrote a college counseling database to help students and families complete applications online, and runs Operation Snowball, a peer-counseling program that helps students develop good leadership skills while coping with peer pressure, substance abuse and stress. Rosina has earned St. Ignatius' Alumni Medal and Magis and Creative Initiative awards. For more information on St. Ignatius College Prep, located at 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, visit www.ignatius.org or call 312-421-5900.
• Patricia Weyna of Chicago is the Librarian at St. Juliana School in Chicago. After taking over the school library two years ago, she organized and automated the entire library collection so that students can easily find the books they need. Weyna incorporates students' studies into weekly library activities, and helps run the Star Reading Program to enable teachers to determine and understand individual student needs to increase individual reading levels. She also holds after-school study groups and moderates the Battle of Books. For more information on St. Juliana School, located at 7400 W. Touhy Ave., Chicago, visit www.stjuliana.org/school or call 773-631-2256.

Pictured above at the recent Heart of the Schools award ceremony held on January 26 at the Omni Hotel in Chicago are: (Top row from left) Nancy Roberts Garrity, seventh and eighth grade teacher at Chicago's St. John Fisher Elementary School and 2006 NCEA Distinguished Teacher award winner; Lauren M. Costa, first grade teacher St. Pascal School in Chicago; Paulette Stith, Religious Education Department Chair at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein; Michael Hassett, Computer Technology teacher at Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor; Kristine Nader, fifth grade science teacher at St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge; Teal Spencer, Spanish teacher at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Sarah Buino, English and world history teacher at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago; Patricia Weyna, Librarian at St. Juliana School in Chicago; and Anthony Rosinia, Senior Director of Information Systems at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. (Bottom row from left): Dawn M. Gasior, Religion teacher at St. Symphorosa School in Chicago; Mary Vitulli, Assistant Principal and math and social studies teacher at St. James School in Highwood; Kristin McCreary, Spanish teacher at St. Josaphat School in Chicago, Catherine Ann Goll, reading teacher at St. Norbert School in Northbrook; Jamie Dixon, music teacher at Saint Joseph School in Round Lake; and Linda Tayler, technology teacher at Transfiguration School in Wauconda.