Elizabeth Ann Seton Gifted Educator Award

In 1998, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Simon of Grand Ledge made a very generous gift to the Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation to honor Bishop Murray’s work with the  Diocese of Lansing before his installation as Bishop of Kalamazoo. The Foundation used this gift to establish the Bishop James A. Murray Fund. The expendable amounts from this fund make the Elizabeth Ann Seton Gifted Educator Award possible. Each year a financial contribution is made to the winner's school and a plaque is presented to the winner. The award presentation is typically at the last all-school Mass of the year with the entire school, and often the recipient's family, in attendance to celebrate.

Why is it called the Elizabeth Ann Seton Gifted Educator Award?

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton founded the first Catholic school system in America. For Mother Seton, as she was known then, the spiritual good of her students was of utmost importance. She worked to cultivate the mind, heart, and spirit of her students. The Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation honors Catholic School educators who carry on the work of Mother Seton through the Elizabeth Ann Seton Gifted Educator Award.

Who is eligible for this award?

Any educator in a Northwest Region of the Diocese of Lansing Catholic school may be nominated. This includes teachers, administrators or volunteers that demonstrate the qualities of Mother Seton.

What is the award?

The number of awards and the amount of the contribution has changed over the years. Currently, the Foundation offers a $1,000 contribution in honor of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Gifted Educator to the educator’s school. Funds must be used by the school for classroom materials or professional development for educators. It is expected that the award winner will help inform the use of the award dollars. Presentation of the award is coordinated with the school and parish administration. The nominator will be informed in advance.

What is the nomination process?

Students, parents, teachers, administrators, friends — anyone — may nominate an outstanding Catholic educator. Nominators must complete the nomination form and submit it along with at least three letters of support (the nominator may be one of the letter writers) to the Greater Lansing Catholic Education Foundation by April 1. Letters should explain how the nominee excels in developing the intellectual, spiritual, emotional and social potential of his or her students.

Past Recipients of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Gifted Educator Award

2011
Mrs. Angela Johnston & Mrs. Mary Margaret Utess of IHM-St. Casimir School

2010
Mrs. Dorella Page-Hunter of St. Jospeph School

2009
Mrs. Mary Nurenberg of St. Mary School  in Westphalia
Mrs. Emily Crockett of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Lansing

2008
Mrs. Lynn Fuller of St. Gerard School

2007
Mr. Fred Diehl of Lansing Catholic High School

2006
Mrs. Katherine White of St. Mary School in Williamston

2005
Mr. Doug Moore of Lansing Catholic High School
Mr. Rod Murphy of St. Thomas Aquinas School

2003
Mrs. Sandy Drake of IHM-St.Casimir School

2002
Sr. Marie Pauline Skalski of St. Martha School
Ms. Joan Fetter of IHM-St. Casimir School

2001
Mrs. Cathy Pike of Lansing Catholic High School
Mr. Shannon Kahne of Resurrection School
Ms. Chris Ehrenberger of St. Gerard School
Sr. Mary Kastens of St. Mary Cathedral

2000
Ms. Marge Novak of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
Mrs. Sandy Drake of IHM-St.Casimir School
Mrs. Kathleen Caruso of Resurrection School
Ms. Lisa Hager of St. Michael School
Sr. Pat Newhouse of St. Martha School
Lance & Kathy Thompson of St. Martha Parish
Mr. Joe Reynolds of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish

1999
Marie Konieczny of St. Gerard School
Lynn Layher of Holy Cross School
Barb Smith of St. Michael School
Joanne Angers of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish
Sharon Kuchar of IHM-St. Casimir School
Connie McAleer of St. Thomas Aquinas School
Annie Kitching of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
Ken Damerow of St. Martha School
Cathy Pike of Lansing Catholic High School
Susan Bennett-Armistead of St. Mary School in Williamston
Katherine Hagel of Resurrection School 

1998
Julie Tejkl of St. Gerard School
Mary Kay Riley of Holy Cross Parish
Ann Veno of Holy Cross School
Joanne Fletcher of St. Michael School
Mary Dalla of IHM-St. Casimir School
Karen Whitmore of St. Therese School
Richard Ball of St. Thomas Aquinas School
Andrea Patton of St. Martha School
JanShoemaker of Lansing Catholic High School
Laurie Fulcher of St. Mary School in Williamston
Janet and Jean Masternak of Resurrection School