A Message of Appreciation from Henry Fortier

Dear Catholic School Educators,

I wanted to take this opportunity during National Teacher Appreciation Week to say thank you for being Christ’s light to our students and the world. In Matthew’s Gospel chapter 5, Jesus went up to the mountain top to teach the crowds, and he said,

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

You are that light within your classrooms and your buildings. This past school year has been one for the record books and one that many of us are happy to see coming to a close. With just about four weeks left of the school year, many can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Whether you are a first-year teacher or a 30-year veteran, this past school year stripped us all of what was familiar and forced us all to become first-year teachers once again as everyone learned how to teach under new circumstances.

When we returned in August, we did not know what to expect. How would the virus spread once we returned to the buildings? How would we keep students socially distanced? If someone got sick, how sick would they get and would they recover? How do we teach two groups of students simultaneously and keep them all engaged? The list of all the unknowns continued with tremendous uncertainty and anxiety. In all of that uncertainty, you stepped out of the boat onto the stormy seas strengthened by faith, trusting in God.

In a normal year, you surrender much of yourself and your time to the ministry of serving the students and families. The work you do is the work of the planter. You place the seed of knowledge, of faith, of emotional health, self-respect as a child of God, social skills, healthy relationships, and so many other seeds that you do not see grow to their fullest within the short time of a school year. It is with faith and love that you plant these seeds each day in this relationship of learning where you shape the students and in turn, they help reshape us.

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for your incredible service this year. I would encourage you as we close this school year to take some time and reflect on everything you encountered and the many challenges you overcame. You accomplished more than you probably ever thought you could and are stronger today for doing it. Take the time to recognize God’s hand lifting you up in times of despair and guiding you in times of confusion or uncertainty. You are an amazing Catholic school educator, and I am proud to walk with you on this journey. May God continue to bless you in your ministry.

In Christ,

Henry Fortier

Secretary for Education/

Superintendent of Catholic Schools