Teacher Appreciation Week

Former colleagues of mine at the secondary school level often ask me how I like being in an elementary school.  My answer is simple and brief, “I love it!”  After 40 years in various high schools being at Cheverus Catholic School is more fun than I could have ever imagined.

Initially, my lack of experience at this level was a source of great anxiety for me.  I had little knowledge of curriculum or teaching practices.  Generally, I didn’t know much about what went on in an elementary classroom other than having been an elementary student myself a long, long time ago. I was resolved that I would observe and learn from our teachers; and learn I did!

It wasn’t long before I came to realize that Cheverus Catholic School was blessed with a highly knowledgeable and qualified team of teachers and staff.  My task was to simply let them do their jobs!  Each and every single day I am privileged to be witness to their dedication to the command  of Saint Mother Theodore Guérin.  Mother Guérin was the foundress of the Sisters of Providence; the same Sisters who originally staffed Cheverus.  She charged her Sisters, “To love the children first, then teach them.”  It is important that during this Teacher Appreciation Week I share with you that our faculty and staff are totally dedicated to Mother Guérin’s directive. 

We know that the knowledge planning and implementation of lessons results in an excellent academic education.  Yet there is much more that your children receive as a consequence of their interactions with our faculty and staff.  The care and the love they demonstrate for your children in the classroom, corridors, schoolyard, playground, and cafeteria provide, along with your care,  a solid understanding of our responsibility to care for one another, to be kind, to serve, and to help those in need.  

And so, I ask that you join me in thanking our teachers and staff for performing the duties and responsibilities of teaching our children.  We are so fortunate that they not only do what they do so well, but also bring to the community a joy, love, and enthusiasm that makes Cheverus the wonderful school that it is!

Gratefully,

Thomas P. Arria, Jr.