LAKELAND – Teachers who are embracing their vocation and growing as faith-filled leaders in Catholic education were honoured at the Lakeland Catholic School Division’s (LCSD) first annual ‘Sharing the Faith’ celebration.
On May 14, teachers and administrators from across the Lakeland region gathered for the evening of reflection and celebration, which started with a mass at St. Louis Parish in Bonnyville and was followed by a reception at Notre Dame High School.
According to Stephanie Cox, communications officer for Lakeland Catholic School Division (LCSD), educators who attended the Sharing the Faith celebration received certificates of recognition.
Cox explained that the idea for the initiative emerged from the school division’s commitment to forming faith-filled educators who are not only strong in pedagogy but also rooted in Catholic identity.
“As a division, we saw the importance of formally recognizing the unique role new teachers play in living out our mission: Christ our Model, Children our Focus,” Cox said.
“Through this program, we accompany early-career educators and those new to our division, in their spiritual development, helping them grow as witnesses of the Gospel,” she explained. “This formation ultimately impacts our students, who benefit from classrooms shaped by compassion, purpose, and Christ-centred excellence.”
During the inaugural Sharing the Faith celebration, testimonies were shared by teachers in attendance, something that was noted by Gerarda Germain, the religious education coordinator for the Lakeland Catholic School Division.
“It was an inspiring atmosphere,” said Germain. “Listening to the professional and personal transformations of our teachers, it is encouraging to witness how they are reaching every corner of the classroom and beyond.”
Anna Brockhoff, the chair of the LCSD board of trustees, praised teachers who are working with their students and instilling values into them.
“We have deep pride in our educators who are forming children not just academically, but holistically,” said Brockhoff.
