During Catholic Schools Week, we at La Salle Academy celebrate Founder’s Day and honor our teachers.  In particular we honor today, Wednesday, January 30th, La Salle Academy’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator for 2013-2014.  The following prayer was offered on the Public Address System at the start of the day.

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of a loving God….

Chances are if I were to ask you to think of some of your best teachers, my guess is that you would call to mind names of men and women of tremendous patience.  Great teachers tend to be patient people because they can’t and don’t give up on their students.  They challenge and inspire and nurture, but at the end of the day, they know that what matters most is the relationships they cultivate day in and day out with their students. And those relationships take time to develop.  St. John Baptist de La Salle knew this.  Many centuries ago, when De La Salle wrote his twelve virtues of a Lasallian teacher, patience was front and center.

 

This week, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week and today, in particular we honor Mrs. Janice Drolet in the Computer and Business Departments.  Mrs. Drolet has taught at La Salle since 1994 and has touched the minds and hearts of countless young men and women entrusted to her care.  She is also our school’s nominee for the Distinguished Lasallian Educator this past year.  When I spoke to some of Mrs. Drolet’s students and colleagues recently about what they appreciate most about her, all of them spoke of her patience and her generosity.  One student in particular recalled how Mrs. Drolet became like a “mom” to her at school.   “She notices the small things, like when I need to talk after class, or when I need my space.  She never takes it personally if I am not prepared.”   Another graduate of La Salle wrote of the tremendous love and concern Mrs. Drolet showed her on a daily basis.  “She cared for me and gave me advice, but more importantly she took the time to see me and what I needed on any given day.”

 

School administrators and educators have long agreed that year after year, across varying grade levels, demographics, and content areas, students need teachers who notice them and make them feel valued.   Anyone who knows Mrs. Drolet knows that she can be found greeting students at the door of her homeroom, motivating them to give during charity drives, celebrating her colleagues’ milestones and accomplishments with a smile and a hug.  In short, Mrs. Drolet lives knowing that these small things really do matter most.  Long after students graduate, what they remember the most is who really loved them.

 

So, on behalf, of our community here at La Salle, I want to thank Mrs. Drolet for her devotion and tenderness to our students.

 

 Together, let us pray:

Good and Gracious God,

We give thanks for the example and work of Janice Drolet and for all the ways she makes La Salle a more warm and caring place to work and to learn.  And during this Catholic Schools Week, we celebrate all Lasallian educators everywhere who give of their time, talent, and treasure to minister to young people.   In all that we say and do today, help us to be more patient, kind, tender, and generous.

St. John Baptist de La Salle: Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts: Forever!

Question for afternoon reflection:  Amid the commitments of this day, how have I tried to be a more patient, kind, and generous person?

Christine Estes (Campus Minister)