By Mike Yerly
Jeanine Theobald, long-time kindergarten teacher at St. Isidore School, was recognized by the Diocese of Joliet’s Catholic Schools Office with a Core Value of Catholic Education Award during ceremonies held at the Diocese’s annual all-school meeting and institute held prior to the start of the 2015-16 school year.
Mrs. Theobald was nominated by her fellow teachers at St. Isidore in response to a request for nominations of teachers who exhibit excellence in:
- Leading by example – exhibiting Catholic values inside and outside the classroom
- Incorporating faith into lesson planning
- Helping students with any kind of learning need
- Making themselves available for conferencing with parents at any time (even outside school hours)
- Creating plans to work with child’s strengths and weaknesses and shares those ideas with families
- Is active within his/her parish
- Consistently demonstrates high morals and ethics
“Jeanine without question fits the criteria that is established for this award,” says Mrs. Cyndi Collins, St. Isidore Principal. “When I asked our staff to nominate someone for the award, Jeanine was the overwhelming choice and we are thrilled that the Diocese recognized that as well. She is the model teacher when it comes to exhibiting Catholic core values in and outside of the classroom.”
Mrs. Theobald began her 22nd year of teaching at St. Isidore when classes started August 26, and 31st overall as a Catholic school teacher.
Additionally, St. Isidore School itself was recognized at the institute, and was one of ten Diocesan schools presented a “Curare” Award which is a Customer Service Award. The school agreed to have a “secret shopper” visit the school and evaluate it during the spring semester in such service/communications areas as: Website, school entrance, the cleanliness and appearance of the grounds and the school, the way they were greeted first on the phone and then in person, the tour that was provided, etc.
“We take a great deal of pride in our service to parents, alumni and guests that visit St. Isidore,” Mrs. Collins says, “so we agreed to take part in this program and are quite proud of the fact that we were one of the schools in the Diocese to receive it.”