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St. Raphael Teacher Wins Lewis Award
On Wednesday, April 23, Jo-Ann Colopy, a second-grade teacher at Saint Raphael the Archangel Catholic School in Raleigh, was presented with the 2008 Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching. The first teacher hired at St. Raphael School in 1993, she was chosen for her dedication to teaching in the Diocese. The award was presented following Mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge.
Married with eight grown children and one grandchild, Colopy is a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish. She is trained as a Master Catechist and lists among her goals “to encourage growth in the spiritual life of each student.”
“Working in a Catholic school gives me a focus,” she said. “And it is amazing that my religion can be a part of my day.”
Colopy is not the first Lewis Award winner for St. Raphael; in 2004 Susan H. Hoying was granted the honor as well.
Since 1992, the Lewis Award has been presented annually to one teacher in the Diocese of Raleigh to recognize, promote and encourage excellent in teaching. The Award is named in honor of Monsignor Lewis, a priest, pastor and administrator who has served the Diocese of Raleigh for over four decades.
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Above: Jo-Ann Colopy receiving 2008 Lewis Award from Monsignor Gerald L. Lewis with Anne Stahel, Chair of the Lewis Award Committee and Bishop Burbidge looking on. |