Those who make the choice to teach in a Catholic school often do so at a personal expense. But most admit the spiritual rewards they reap are worth far more than money.
The combined focus of faith and academics is important to those who are dedicated to Catholic education in the Diocese of Cleveland. However, those teachers may have difficulty in affording a Catholic education for their own children. In some cases, they choose to accept a better-paying teaching job in a non-Catholic school in order to pay Catholic school tuition for their children.
That’s where the newly rebranded David and Linda Kaltenbach Family Fund can help. It is one of many diocesan financial aid and tuition assistance programs available to families of students attending Catholic schools in the diocese.
The Kaltenbachs, longtime parishioners at St. Patrick Parish in Wellington, believe strongly in the mission of Catholic education. Although they have no children of their own, the couple said they are surrounded by a large family.
“We feel that teachers are the core of Catholic education,” David Kaltenbach said. “It should be easier for them to send their children to Catholic schools.”
He said the teachers make sacrifices to minister in Catholic schools, but it’s not right that they should have to make a financial decision on whether or not they can afford to continue teaching in a Catholic school and still pay tuition for their children.
A few years ago a teacher friend left a position in a Catholic school and took a higher-paying job in a public school so he could afford to send his daughters to Catholic schools. After they graduated, he returned to teaching in a Catholic school.
“That’s a travesty,” Kaltenbach said.
Some funds exist to help teachers offset the cost of tuition for their children, but the awards often are small. So Kaltenbach and his wife, Linda, decided they wanted to help those who dedicate their careers to providing a Catholic education for children. Their idea was embraced enthusiastically by the Cleveland Diocese and it’s already having an impact.
The couple made a generous donation to jumpstart the fund and last school year, the Kaltenbach fund provided 346 elementary awards of $250 each and 198 high school awards of $500 each. This year, with the coronavirus pandemic affecting so many families, it could be even more important.
The Kaltenbachs said they see the fund as a way of deepening the community’s commitment to Catholic schools.
“It’s so important,” David Kaltenbach said, referring to Catholic education. He pointed out that the Church spends a great deal of money on many services to help others. “If we take these little minds and mold them, maybe one day there won’t be a need for all of those services. We believe education is the start,” he said.
One teacher whose family was assisted by the fund expressed her gratitude and noted that she and her husband were inspired to increase the Sunday offering to their parish and to financially support the school through the annual #weGiveCatholic day of online giving, which occurs on Giving Tuesday -- Dec. 1 this year.
The Kaltenbachs said they want to ensure that they can continue making a difference, even after they’re gone.
“I am tremendously grateful to the generous donors who support Catholic education in many ways, including those who make possible for teachers and administrators in our schools to afford tuition for their own children,” said Patrick Grace, executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation.
The David and Linda Kaltenbach Family Fund is managed by the Catholic Community Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, the fundraising ministry of the diocese. It fosters faith-based stewardship in the community for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of all.
For more information on the David and Linda Kaltenbach Family Fund or to make a contribution, contact Bob Hickey, bhickey@catholiccommunity.org or call 216-696-6525, Ext. 3310