For the past 10 years, Bishop Vann and the Diocese of Orange Catholic Schools leadership team have gathered to honor educators and recognize milestone teacher anniversaries.
More than 300 teachers and administrators gathered for the Celebrating Catholic School Educators awards and dinner held on Feb. 2 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel in garden Grove.
This year, for the second time, a special St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Teacher of the Year Award was also conferred to one elementary and one secondary teacher.
The Bishop Vann Award was bestowed on Sr. Johnellen Turner O.P., president of St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim. A native of Los Angeles, Sr. Johnellen has devoted more than 54 years to Catholic education at schools in L.A. and Orange Counties.
SR. JOHNELLEN TURNER O.P., PRESIDENT OF ST. CATHERINE’S ACADEMY IN ANAHEIM, RECEIVED THE BISHOP VANN AWARD DURING THE CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS EVENT.
St. Catherine’s Academy was founded by the Dominican sisters in 1889. The kindergarten through eighth grade all-boys school’s curriculum emphasizes faith, leadership, academics and service.
“I am so grateful to our God for calling me to minister in Catholic schools and to my Dominican congregation for their support over the years, said Sr. Johnellen, “as well as the Diocese of Orange for all the good and loving care they give to the children in our schools.”
In addition to the Bishop Vann Award, Lisa Aguirre, a third-grade teacher at St. Junipero Serra Catholic School and Cory Fajardo, a theology and philosophy teacher at Servite High School, were each awarded the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year, respectively.
BISHOP THANH THAI NGUYEN SPEAKS TO THE AUDIENCE DURING THE CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS AWARDS AND DINNER HELD ON FEB. 2.
The teachers are nominated for the award by their peers at their school; then, each school submits the winning nominee to the Diocese to select the Teacher of the Year for elementary, secondary and runners-up.
Dr. Erin Barisano, Ed.D., Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Orange, said, “We are so grateful to Bishop Vann, who brought Celebrating Catholic School Educators to the Diocese of Orange 10 years ago. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the strength and zeal we share through our vocation as Catholic educators, for it is through our ministry that we bring our students closer to Christ.”
Lisa Aguirre has taught at Catholic schools for nearly 25 years, first at St. Anne’s in Laguna Niguel and more recently at St. Junipero Serra in Rancho Santa Margarita. Aguirre left a career in international sales but put it all aside for an $8-hour teaching assistant position.
“I fell in love with teaching and went back to college to get my bachelor’s degree in education,” recalled Aguirre. “Truly, I think the Holy Spirit guided my steps. Teaching is my passion.”
ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT TEACHERS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR ANNIVERSARIES SPANNING FROM 10 TO 45 YEARS DURING THE CELEBRATING CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS EVENT HELD ON FEB. 2. PHOTOS BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
In nominating Aguirre, her colleagues said, “(She) takes a proactive role in enhancing the overall school experience by initiating and leading impactful schoolwide activities and events. Her leadership fosters a sense of community and school spirit, creating memorable experiences for students, staff and families.”
Cory Fajardo teaches theology at Servite High School in Anaheim.
“I admire the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas, and I try to lead the students to a life of virtue,” said Fajardo. “Academically, I try to get the students to fall in love with the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith.”
It wasn’t too many years ago when Fajardo was a student at Servite and returned to the Friars to live out his primary vocation, “to be a holy man of God, a holy husband and father and to be a ‘Christ-like’ teacher so that the students can see Christ in and through me.”
In nominating Fajardo, his fellow math teacher David Selski stated, “He embodies Christian values and contributes to the spiritual growth of students and staff members. How he lives his life, conducts himself, speaks and behaves is a role model for our young men and the rest of us. He is a testament to what it means to see Christ.”
One hundred thirty-eight teachers were recognized for anniversaries spanning from 10 to 45 years – a distinction held by Melanie Harner at St. Angela Merici Parish School.
All Orange County Catholic Schools are accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Unlike public or charter schools, the Diocese requires individual accreditation of all elementary schools. There are also scholarships available.
To learn more, visit https://www.occatholicschools.org/