Yukon teacher named Catholic School Educator of the Year

The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma recently named Denise Heard, a middle school teacher at Saint John Nepomuk in Yukon, as the 2018 Archbishop Paul S. Coakley Catholic School Educator of the Year for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

Heard teaches math and theology and is known for helping students develop problem-solving skills at an age when they want immediate answers.

Students in Heard’s class said they are influenced by her example of living the Catholic faith, living the sacraments, taking time for prayer and making sure they know they are in her prayer intentions.

In a nomination letter, a fellow teacher said, “Denise continually works to find new ways and methods to engage her students and develop a true love for math. She consistently is able to weave together her required subject matter and her faith, forming disciples and bringing God’s love to students. Denise’s example of service and dedication is something from which we all could learn.”

Posted in Heard’s classroom is a quote from Pope Francis’s summary of the Gospel, assuring her students that “Jesus Christ loves you; He gave His life to save you; and now He is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.”

In addition to teaching, Heard facilitates scheduling of altar servers, has been involved (along with her husband) in the ministry of marriage preparation, sponsored Confirmation candidates, is a Eucharistic minister and organizes the Saint John Nepomuk Vocations Crucifix program.

Heard earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in engineering.

Heard received $500. The school received a $5,000 grant.

Religious Educator of the Year

The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma presented the plaque for Religious Educator of the Year to Janis Mollman, a catechist at St. Mark in Norman who has served in religious education for 22 years.

 Recognition of years of service to Catholic schools in the archdiocese

Five years
           
Gabrielle Barros, Bishop John Carroll
Myles Simpson, BJC  
Susan Abrams, Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
Kylie Lyons, BMCHS
Laura O'Hara, BMCHS
Sue Ryan, BMCHS
Dorene Frederickson, Christ the King
Rebecca Landoll, Holy Trinity
Mary Copeland, Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School
Jack Harding, MSMCHS
Kathleen Kastl, MSMCHS
Rhonda Munsell, MSMCHS
Kathryn Pickens, MSMCHS
Beth Rempe, MSMCHS
Mallory Tecmire, MSMCHS
Donna Williams, MSMCHS
Shannon Cook, Rosary
Christian Rushing, Sacred Heart-El Reno
Laura Gallagher, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Lorianne Jones, SEAS
Robert Anderson, St. Mary-Guthrie
Christina Gensman, St. Mary-Lawton
 
Ten years
 
Josh Buser, All Saints
Patti Petromilli, St. Eugene
Christopher Braun, BMCHS
Terry “Leann” Ufolla, CTK
Mary Freeh, St. Charles Borromeo
Sharon Lieurance, SEAS
Kathleen Borgert, St. Eugene
Nancy Reese, St. Joseph-Enid
Glenna Allison, St. Philip Neri
James Bleeker, SPN
Glenna Cote, SPN
 
Fifteen years
 
Jerry Lang, All Saints
Melany Pattison, All Saints
Jennifer Farris, BJC
Bryan Pierce, BMCHS
Andrew Worthington, BMCHS
Erin Cheek, CTK
Paul Ward, CTK
Sr. Betty Elmer, MSMCHS
Lesley Basset, SCB
Carolyn Beck, SCB
Margeaux Phipps, SCB
Marilee Talbot, SEAS
Beth O'Donnell, St. Eugene
Amy Johnson, SJN    
 
Twenty years
 
Lisa Lancaster, All Saints
Isabel Hernandez, All Saints
Breanna Sizemore, All Saints
Amy Feighny, CTK
Karen Corrigan, SEAS
April McCann, SEAS
Shireen Spurr, SEAS
 
Twenty-five years
 
 Sarah Parizek, SJN
 
Thirty-five years
 
Mary Sine, Sacred Heart-OKC
Debbie Schneider, SEAS
 
Forty-five years
 
Steven McConnell, BMCHS