The office of Catholic schools welcomed more than 200 new teachers during an orientation at Nativity Catholic Church in Burke Aug. 14.
Some of the new faces this year have made the jump from public school to private school, such as Jon Cralle, who changed from secondary to elementary education when he accepted the literature position at his children’s school, Holy Cross Academy in Fredericksburg.
“I worked for the past 14 years in a public high school, which was good,” said Cralle. “I look at this as a chance to combine my spiritual life with my career and that’s a great opportunity.”
Still others are making a whole new career jump. David Scotchlas is hanging up his hat in medical device sales and heading to the classroom at St. Louis School in Alexandria.
“In my previous job, there was not a good work-life balance. I would leave really early and not get home until late. I wasn’t able to spend enough time with my kids. I think this will be very rewarding in a way my old career was not. It is also a way for me to be more involved in the church community,” said Scotchlas.
The new teacher orientation started with a prayer service and opening remarks by Joseph Vorbach, diocesan superintendent of schools. He welcomed the group to a new school year and emphasized Bishop Michael F. Burbidge’s dedication to making schools more accessible.
“We are doing more this year than ever before to support teachers so they can help students with disabilities,” said Vorbach.
He was followed in his remarks by Diane Elliott and Renee White, assistant superintendents.
“Bishop recognizes the beauty of all students,” said Elliott. “Accessibility is one of the pillars in the strategic plan and what that means for my office is students with disabilities. We have 18 schools who enroll at least one child with a disability. The high schools have dedicated programs and we have contracted with Mary Desmarais, who runs Catholic inclusion, to help me help the schools. It is so rewarding.
“St. Patrick School in Fredericksburg accepted their first kindergarten student with Down syndrome last year,” she said. “The other students learn empathy and friendship for all students. They are going to be our judges, lawyers, doctors and teachers in the future, and they need to know how to accept differences, so we are helping them grow as well.”
New teacher Stephanie Zimmerman will join St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly in the special education department after six years working in public schools in special education.
“It’s been nothing but a wonderful experience so far,” said Zimmerman. “I’m excited to bring that sense of community to the classroom. God designed us in his image, but it doesn’t matter if you are working toward your advanced diploma or coming in with an advanced disability, God has a place for all of us.”
The group of new teachers broke up into individual sessions by grade and subject, returning for a talk on certification and employee benefits before lunch.
“We are so excited to have the energy and excitement you brought into this building today,” said White. “You are the face of your school and when we look at retention, our students don’t leave. We exceed the national average. This is because of what you do every day.”
More than 18,400 students are expected at diocesan Catholic schools this academic year, which for many begins Aug. 28.
Kassock is a freelancer in Fredericksburg.
