FACULTY AWARDS

During the President's New Year assembly on February 3, 2022, eight faculty and staff members were recognized for excellence in teaching and service, as well as for their professional development ambitions. President Ann Marie Krejcarek and the Faculty Staff Development Committee (FSDC) announced the 2022 faculty awards recipients.

Esther Rossi Excellence Award

Accounts Payable Specialist

The Esther Rossi Excellence Award is given each year to an employee of the school who has made outstanding contributions to our tradition of excellence, focused particularly on Goal 4 of the Goals and Criteria: the building of community as a Christian value. The award was established and continues to grow thanks to the support of members of the Rossi family in honor of their beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and grandaunt. Esther was a devoted alumna of the Sacred Heart and generously supported the San Francisco College for Women at Lone Mountain, which was founded by the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Last year's award recipient was Rena Franco. Before presenting the award, FSDC member Paul Chow described Rena’s dedication to the community as admirable and inspirational, saying: “Everything she did behind the scenes during the worst pandemic in a century has been so critical and instrumental for our entire school community’s well-being.”

The President's Excellence Award

CHAD GARDNER

Grade 7 History Faculty

The President's Excellence Award was established in 2013 by Joe and Karen Niehaus, longtime Convent & Stuart Hall supporters whose children attended the school. Additionally, Joe served on the Board of Trustees for seven years, with one term as Chair. The Niehaus family established the fund so the President could select a recipient each year who exemplifies excellence in his or her work for the school. Last year's award recipient was Chad Gardner. He was introduced by FSDC member Belle Akers who read quotes from colleagues describing Chad as “a master teacher,” someone who “is confident yet humble” and “shows deep dedication for his students.” He “works intentionally to equip and empower students to think critically and transformationally” and “demonstrates a deep commitment to craft and curriculum.”

The Sister Mary Mardel Fund for Faculty Excellence was established in 1997 by gifts to an endowed fund in honor of the beloved Sacred Heart educator. Each year, elementary faculty apply for the award in pursuit of a specific professional development opportunity or personal enrichment. The committee received no applications for this award in 2021, so it was able to offer two grants in 2022.

Stuart Hall for Boys Grade 4 Faculty

The first recipient, Stefanie Marquette, traveled to Montana, where she visited Yellowstone National Park to attend a National Endowment for the Humanities summer program to explore the connection between humanities and discourse on our environment through Carroll College.

Convent Elementary Dean Grades 6–8 and Studies in Literature & English Language Department Chair and Faculty

The second recipient, Sharanya Naik, traveled to Greece to follow the journey of the Odyssey to enhance her understanding of the Greek plays she teaches in our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme curriculum.

The Sister Ann Conroy Fund for Faculty Excellence was established in 2013 in honor of another longtime Sacred Heart educator. This award application process is open to all high school faculty and Central Services staff for pursuits of personal enrichment. Jay Konik plans to travel to Japan to visit Kyoto and Tokyo and to China to visit the Forbidden City to enhance his understanding of the history and culture of East Asia in connection with his IB HL History course.

In November 2015, the school received a gift from the estate of Elvera "Ellie" Fusco, a beloved friend of the school and a graduate of the San Francisco College for Women at Lone Mountain. Her bequest established an endowed fund to support faculty salaries and benefits. Dr. Krejcarek, in collaboration with the estate trustees, wanted to honor Ellie's passion for education through the establishment of three awards presented each year in honor of Ellie, her sister Mildred (Millie) and their brother Lorenzo (Larry).

The Fusco Family Award in honor of Ellie Fusco is presented to a faculty or staff member who has the true "heart of an educator," someone who gives his or her all in the classroom while making sure the hearts and minds of students are activated and engaged. The award in honor of Millie is presented to a faculty or staff member whose work with students inspires passion and aspiration. The award in Larry's honor is presented to a staff person who shines in his or her work with students as a coach or service learning mentor.

The following faculty members received last year's Fusco Family Awards:

The Ellie Fusco Heart of an Educator Award

JULIA ARCE

High School Studies in Literature & English Language Faculty

The Fusco Family Award in honor of Millie Fusco

DIANE HOLLAND

Convent Elementary Grade 2 Faculty

The Fusco Family Award in honor of Larry Fusco

PAUL HARVEY

Assistant Athletic Director, Grades 5–8