Ten ‘well-deserving’ employees receive Educator Innovative Award

The Message photo by Megan Erbacher

This year’s Catholic Educator Innovative Award was awarded to 10 individuals Aug. 2 at the annual back-to-school Mass. “This past school year we applaud you for your efforts to be innovative and creative to deliver Catholic education during a pandemic,” Diocesan Schools Assistant Superintendent Michelle Priar said. “In recognition of the heroic efforts made last year, we will honor 10 well-deserving Catholic school employees who went above and beyond during the pandemic. We have chosen 10 categories to represent the many hands and hearts that made last year possible.” Shown in the picture are Mary Ruth Branstetter, Youth First Social Worker for St. Wendel and St. Joseph Catholic schools, front row left; Joe Keith, teacher at Resurrection Catholic School; Bishop Joseph M. Siegel; Diocesan Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daryl Hagan; Joe Holtz, parish manager of Holy Rosary Catholic Parish; Darin Knight, principal of Mater Dei High School; Melissa Brown, cafeteria manager at St. John the Baptist Catholic School; Tim Steckler, maintenance at St. James Catholic School, back row left; Father Tony Ernst, parish administrator of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish; Cindy Miller, administrative assistant at Holy Trinity Catholic School; and Brian Heathcott, enrollment manager at Reitz Memorial High School. Not pictured is Tim Lilley, director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Evansville.