TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2006 -- 2007
Maria Iniquen-Gomez,
Recipient of the 2006-2007 Msgr. Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching, has spent 28 years of her life in education; 20 of them as teacher of Science and Social Studies for the 6th, 7th and 8th Grade students at Blessed Sacrament School in Burlington.
A product of Catholic education, Mrs. Gomez said she always felt a calling to teach in Catholic schools. “The values and morals that were instilled in me have guided my life,” she said. “It is my belief that any child who walks into my classroom walks into my life. I believe that, through teaching children, I am touching the future.”
In letters written by parents, faculty and others in support of Mrs. Gomez as a Finalist for the 2006-2007 Lewis Award were the following comments:
| “Maria’s genuine love for her students is evident. She is tough when necessary, always forgiving, and she sets a standard that inspires all her students to strive for.” “Mrs. Gomez’s method of teaching is hands-on, which allows for students to be creative and learn things for themselves.” “She emphasizes the beauty and wonder of God’s creation in her science classes, the morality of choices made in the course of history in Social Studies and uses teaching activities designed to stimulate conversation and discussion to build thoughtful, moral problem-solvers.” |
The Lewis
Award was presented to Mrs. Gomez on April 25, 2007, at a Liturgy celebrated in her honor in Blessed Sacrament Church in Burlington. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge was celebrant and Monsignor Gerald Lewis was homilist at the Mass. Students and faculty members also participated as lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, altar servers and choir.
The Award, which consisted of an engraved silver tray and an Honorarium of $1,500, was presented to Mrs. Gomez by Bishop Burbidge, Msgr. Lewis and Mrs. Anne Stahel, Chair of the Lewis
Award. Dr. Michael J. Fedewa, Diocesan Schools Superintendent, presented Blessed Sacrament School a $500 check and a Lewis
Award Plaque as being the Award-winner’s school. Mrs. Natalie Tackitt, principal, accepted the check and plaque for the school. A luncheon, hosted by parents and celebrating Mrs. Gomez’s recognition, followed the Liturgy.
The Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching has been presented annually since 1992 and is an honor designed to recognize, promote and encourage excellence in teaching in the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Raleigh. Nominations are submitted during the month of September by individuals, groups, schools and parishes for classroom teachers deemed exceptionally skillful and dedicated and who possess the respect and admiration of their students, parents and colleagues. Those nominees meeting the eligibility criteria and wishing to participate in the selection process submit a completed questionnaire and provide letters of support from among faculty, parents, former students, pastor and/or community leaders by early December. Three Finalists are selected from the nominees in January, and each Finalist is observed in classroom visits and has a personal interview by members of the Lewis Award Selection Committee. The Recipient is selected from the Finalists.