There?s a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a dedicated staff to educate the more than 40,000 students in the Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Cleveland.
Many devote their careers to Catholic education, seeing it as a commitment to something they believe in.
That?s the case for Patrice Garuckas, Debbie Chinchar, Scott Posey and Karen Alestock, who have a combined 121 years of service as educators in Catholic schools, and several members of the Ungvarsky family.
Patrice, who attended Catholic schools from first grade through graduate school, is in her 28th year at SS. Robert and William School in Euclid.
?I was raised to understand one?s Catholic faith is of utmost importance,? she said, adding that she knew even in grade school that she wanted to teach in a Catholic school ?and continue the tradition of providing a quality, faith-based education to young people.?
An upper school religion teacher, Patrice was chosen in summer 2016 to participate in a Bearing Witness program in Washington, D.C. Last summer, she attended the second phase, traveling to Israel and bringing new knowledge of the Holy Land back to her students, as well as teaching about Jewish/Christian relationships. SS. Robert and William is a ?No Place for Hate? school, thanks to her efforts.
?This trip to the Holy Land is just one example of what makes her such a good teacher,? said Father John Betters, SS. Robert and William pastor. ?Having just gone there myself, I recognize how walking in the footsteps of Jesus and the people of the Old and New Testament will help make her great teaching even better. It is an opportunity of a lifetime and our school community will be blessed by her experience,? he added.
Debbie is in her 42nd year of teaching at St. Bernadette School in Westlake. She, too, is a product of Catholic education. Debbie met her husband, Mark, who works in maintenance at St. Bernadette?s, during her first year teaching.
?The greatest challenge I?ve experienced as a result of working in Catholic education has been a financial one,? she said, adding she and her husband worked at St. Bernadette?s throughout their 38-year marriage. ?The financial sacrifice has been especially challenging over the years. That being said, I would not exchange my years as a Catholic educator for all the money in the world. Every day I work with young, impressionable children that are so eager to learn about Jesus and our faith. This has been a true gift to me.?
Another benefit of her longevity at St. Bernadette?s is ?the privilege of teaching the children of my former students,? Debbie said. I admire these younger parents for wanting to pass down the same quality, faith-filled education to their own children that they themselves experienced. It fills my heart with joy to know that Catholic education is alive and well and will continue for many years to come.?
Scott Posey is in his 19th year directing theater productions and teaching at Lake Catholic High School in Mentor. Although not a Catholic himself, Scott said the major reason he decided to teach in a Catholic school was the hunger of the students to learn. ?The environment just felt different and like a family,? he said.
Admitting there are some financial challenges, Scott said his life was changed by the time he spent in Catholic education. ?I had a tremendous opportunity to share the gifts that God has given to me and to help students to realize their value and gifts. I can?t imagine how much would be missing in my life had I never walked through the doors of Lake Catholic High School.?
Karen, principal at Seton Catholic School in Hudson, began her 32-year journey in Catholic education at St. Hilary School in Fairlawn. She is a member of the teacher evaluation and professional development committees and is involved in several other boards and committees, including supporting CYO and Catholic Charities.
Her husband,
