By John Rohlf
The Message Assistant Editor
In preparation for the diocesan school year, Cathy Tooley spoke to over 500 educators in the Diocese of Evansville Aug. 1 prior to the start of the school year.
The CEO of Tools for Success and a former educator, Tooley spoke to educators from the 26 schools in the Diocese of Evansville Aug. 1 at Good Shepherd School in Evansville. The presentation was held before the annual Back to School Mass, which was held this year at Good Shepherd Church.
During her presentation to the diocesan educators, Tooley stressed the impact comments from a teacher can have on a student later in their life. She used the example of a high school student saying they are not good in a certain subject. She said they often heard this in elementary school.
“Everything that happened in our past dictates our present, which determines our future,” Tooley said.
She stressed the influence and power of a teacher are immeasurable. She said teachers write “on the slates of the souls of the students in front of your room.”
Tooley noted the need for teachers to sometimes call on their superhero. She noted no matter what a teacher is going through personally at that time, a student only gets one chance in a certain grade.
“I’m going to promise you to those parents who put that child in your room, they would say this as lovingly as they could,” Tooley said. “I care, but I don’t care. I care. I’m a loving, caring human being who wouldn’t want any human being to suffer. But that’s my baby you’ve got right there who’s got one shot to get this right.”
At the end of the presentation, Tooley passed out capes to educators in the diocese that read “I am a superhero because I am a teacher.” She stressed all educators in that room were hand selected to become a teacher.
Diocesan schools returned for the 2024-2025 school year starting Aug. 2 and no later than Aug. 8. The Diocese of Evansville’s theme for this school year is Rooted in Our Catholic Faith.
Diocese of Evansville Superintendent Michelle Priar noted educators fill many roles, including teachers, mentors, counselors, nurses, academic advisors and sometimes surrogate parents. She said there is another role they can take on that has the power to transform the life of their students every day.
“We can show them that we are their biggest fan,” Priar said. “This is a gift we can give them even when they’re not so lovable. Because there will be days certainly that we feel that way. But we can still show them an unwavering support.”
She stressed being a student’s biggest fan is not just about celebrating their successes but is also about recognizing potential even in the face of setbacks.
She said their classrooms should be safe havens where everyone can be seen, heard and valued.
“When we show students that we believe in them, that we’re in their corner, we give them the power to believe in themselves,” Priar said. “And this is huge. It can be life changing. And isn’t that what Christ is calling us to do? To make a positive difference in the lives of the students that we serve.”
She said diocesan educators can show they are the students’ biggest fans by celebrating differences, providing constructive feedback, modeling resilience and praying for them. She stressed their role as educators is more than just impacting knowledge.
“I believe our role is to spark the belief in a student’s own potential,” Priar said. “Empower them to navigate life’s challenges and help them to become the person God has created them to be. So this year, let’s be champions for our students. Let’s be their biggest fan.”
