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Happening ... in the Local Church
 CC
teacher Candy Reed stands with 2008 graduate Rebecca Gloyeske and CC
junior Hayden Gloyeske. (Photo by Caroline B. Mooney) |
By Caroline B. Mooney
The
Catholic Moment
LAFAYETTE — Third time’s the charm. Nominated twice before, Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School teacher Candy Reed is a winner of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce 2010 Golden Apple Award.
In 1973, Reed began teaching in a rural Appalachia school where her first classroom was an old girls’ locker-room in a building that had been condemned five times. She went on to teach at a Catholic school in Florida before moving to Lafayette in July 1988. She has been on CC’s faculty since 1995.
Reed has taught religion and morality, world religions, fine arts and computer graphics at CC. She has been a senior class sponsor 12 times, organized and chaperoned senior class trips, worked on proms, the yearbook, SEARCH retreats and is in charge of student council and art club.
The Golden Apple Award selection committee members — professionals from the education and business communities — were surprise guests at a school convocation on March 17. They brought balloons, flowers, kind words and a $1,000 check made out to Reed. Winners also receive a brass plaque.
“I think it’s about time she got the award,” said Mary Potts, 2003 CC graduate and a special education elementary school teacher in St. Louis.
“I had Mrs. Reed for two classes — one was world religions,” Potts said. “We didn’t just talk about beliefs; it was a hands-on class, with us working to help in the community. Mrs. Reed is one of the reasons I love to travel. While at CC, I went to Germany and she was a chaperone. She helped me experience different cultures. She is also one of the reasons I became a teacher. She really inspired me.”
The Golden Apple Award is given “to recognize teachers that shine, excel and need to be recognized,” said Joe Brettnacher, CC principal and president of the Lafayette Catholic School System.
“We need to lift each other up,” he said. “We are truly excited for Mrs. Reed. I think she is very deserving of the award. I would also like to acknowledge all of our teachers for the great job they do, day in and day out.”
Winners of the award are first nominated by parents, faculty or administrators, as well as present or past students. The award, initiated in 1987, honors teachers of grades K-5 and 6-12 during alternate years.
Once nominated, an interview process begins that includes a 500-word essay by the candidates. An excerpt from Reed’s essay said, “… teaching brings me great joy. The students make me smile every day because of something they said or did. I love my subject and enjoy finding exciting ways for my students to explore, learn and succeed. I want them to learn skills that not only will help them to succeed in my class, but also in life. Enthusiasm, compassion, fairness, kindness and humor are all qualities I use to accomplish these goals.”
“It is a privilege to congratulate Mrs. Reed,” said Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski. “It takes a lot of work to do what she does day in and day out to shape young minds here at CC, helping people learn, grow and enrich their lives. That is something we take for granted. What you take away from your educational process will help you achieve your goals in life. On behalf of the city of Lafayette, we congratulate you and thank you for a job well done.”
Reed became very emotional as she addressed the students.
“I want my students to remember me for how I treated them,” she said. “You have been the light of my life; you have been why I get up early in the morning. Thank you so much, and all my colleagues — we are one family together, all very supportive.
“Take away good ways to live your life,” Reed said. “The most important thing you can do in life is love God and serve others. I think a smile is very important. When you smile at people, you show you care — I try to see Jesus in every one of my students. He is always there in you.”
She thanked all her students, her family, CC staff and all the parents who have helped over the years.
“Mrs. Reed is awesome,” said CC junior Hayden Gloyeske. “She really deserves the award. She always has a smile on her face — I love going to her class.”
His sister, 2008 CC graduate Rebecca Gloyeske, said, “Mrs. Reed is more than a teacher. She is always all over the school, helping with this and that. Any job that needs to be done, she will take on. ... I am in elementary education because of her, and when I write papers in college, she comes up in every single one as someone who impacted me.”
This year’s Golden Apple Award recipients will be honored at a banquet on April 19.