By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Winners dedicated to Catholic education

SUPERIOR -- A group of teachers from the Cathedral School in Superior were awarded the Bishop George A. Hammes Award for Outstanding Service to Catholic schools. The presentation was made at the annual Fall Teacher and Catechist Institute, held in Rice Lake, Oct. 6.

The Hammes award winners are: Pauline Rhodes, John Stack, Ginny Leopold, Arlene Nordeen, Gretchen Olson, Lynn Krause and Rose Ranthum.

Between them, the "Superior Seven" have a total 158 years of service in Catholic education. When asked what keeps these teachers in the classroom at Cathedral School they all responded: "The children do."

In addition to teaching, Rhodes has also served as both principal and assistant principal during her 32 years in Catholic education. This period includes not only time at Cathedral School, but at the now-closed St. Francis School, Superior.

She credits both the children and the support of parents for making her job enjoyable. Rhodes, a member of Holy Assumption Parish, Superior, said she believes in what Catholic education stands for and what can be taught within its walls.

"We are able to teach religion and profess our Catholic faith," she said. "You couldn't do that in a public school."

Rhodes said she was surprised to receive this award. "It was a great honor," she said.

Stack, who has dedicated 28 years to teaching at Cathedral School, is a computer instructor and also teaches industrial technology and science to middle school students. He is also an alumnus of the school and Catholic education is a tradition for the Stack family.

"My father went to the old Catholic high school (in Superior), my aunt went here, my sister, brother and I attended here," Stack said. "My children go here now."

As both an educator and parent, Stack said he likes the values and high academic standards stressed at Cathedral School. "We also create a high moral fiber in our students," he said.

Wearing both a Jesus medallion and cross around his neck, Stack, who is a member of the cathedral parish, said being able to express his faith is important to him.

"You can see the expression of faith everywhere at Cathedral School," he said. "It's an important part of our school."

It was special for Stack to be honored with an award named after Hammes, the bishop he was confirmed by.

"When I started (teaching) here, Bishop Hammes was the acting bishop," he said. "I can remember how he always visited our classrooms at Cathedral School. He was a wonderful man who thought education was very important to the Catholic Church and he supported us."

For 24 years Leopold, also a member of the cathedral parish, has been the school's physical education teacher and is responsible for teaching middle school health and social studies.

As a child Leopold attended St. Anthony de Padua School in Park Falls. Besides Cathedral School, four years of her teaching career were spent at St. Francis School in Superior and in the public schools.

As she was preparing for a trip with seventh and eighth graders to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, near Finland, Minn, Leopold shared how she loves the annual experience. "We have Mass where deer appear behind the altar," she said. "You know God is there and he is with us all the time."

Leopold hasn't been attracted away by higher salaries of public schools. "Money is not an issue," she said. "The rewards far outweigh the salary. The kids are the rewards."

Nordeen has spent 20 years as the school's kindergarten teacher.

"I've loved every minute of it," she said.

As a member of the Lutheran faith, Nordeen said her differing religious belief hasn't been an obstacle. "I love the way you can teach here," she said. "I like the values that you can teach and I feel really close to what I am doing."

Nordeen said she has taught in public schools and operated a day care center, but wouldn't trade away her experiences at Cathedral School. With students tugging for her attention during an interview with the Catholic Herald, Nordeen said the innocence of these tiny tots has a way of lifting her spirits.

"If you're having a low point they'll bring you right up," she said.

Receiving the honor, Nordeen said she was in awe. "I feel very honored to have received this award," she said.

Olson, who has been a third grade teacher at the school for 19 years and also taught four years at St. Francis School, Superior, spoke highly of Cathedral School families.

"We get a lot of cooperation from the parents," she said.

Teaching about God is an important part of her job, she said. "It's something I believe in," she said.

As a former student of the now-closed St. Adalbert School, Superior, and a parent whose three children attended Cathedral School, Olson believes in Catholic education.

"I feel Catholic education is important," she said. "We have a very good school and I am happy to be a part of it," she said.

Olson, who is a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Superior, was also confirmed by Hammes. "It was a very nice award and very much appreciated," she said, on receiving the Hammes award.

Krause, who is a member of Holy Assumption Parish, Superior, has taught language arts and speech to middle school students at Cathedral School for 18 years.

"I find that teaching is very invigorating and I never have a dull day," she said with a chuckle. "The kids keep me young, the kids keep me going and the kids keep me enthusiastic."

Krause said she finds joy in sharing the Catholic faith with her students. "It's hard for me to imagine teaching without having that luxury of being able to talk about God," she said

Krause was also confirmed by Hammes. "He had a love, care and concern for children," she said.

Ranthum, who has taught first grade at Cathedral School for 17 years, said among the benefits she sees in Catholic education is its small class sizes.

"You become close and get to know the children," she said.

Ranthum also believes in the Christian values that are stressed at Cathedral School. "Hopefully (the children) will carry that with them in their life," she said.

Ranthum, who is a member of St. Francis Xavier Parish, Superior, said she appreciates being honored for doing a job she loves.

"I don't feel I need to be awarded for it, but it was a nice recognition," she said.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004