In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, it is known as the “Ultimate Educator's Award” and the North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools is proud to have faculty members recognized within all of our schools. The NHRCES has had 20 winners total and almost half are still currently working in our schools.
Nominees for this prestigious award are submitted by school principals, parents, students, and fellow teachers. A selection committee consisting of members of the Diocesan Schools Office, the Education Department from Duquesne University, and the Donahue Family Foundation chooses the recipients. The winners are selected on a number of criteria, including an educator’s professional excellence, leadership, commitment to Catholic values, and devotion to teaching in Catholic schools.
The program is made possible by the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation, who instituted similar programs in the Dioceses of Harrisburg and Youngstown.
Here are our winners in order by school:
Blessed Francis Seelos Academy
Mallory Gurney 2021
Robert Reese 2020
Nicole Maxwell 2015
Mary Smolter 2007
Blessed Trinity Academy
Marjorie Heasley 2019
Holy Cross Academy
Colleen Koch 2024
Debra Brungo 2020