HAMMOND – In the second year of a three-year joint endeavor, the Diocese of Gary, together with Big Shoulders Fund of Northwest Indiana and Calumet College of St. Joseph (CCSJ) awarded full-tuition scholarships to four teacher candidates as they pursue new careers. Recognition of their commitment took place at a dinner reception on Sept. 7 on the college campus, where they were presented with certificates and congratulated with great encouragement.
“When you become a teacher, you give up a lot. When you become a Catholic school teacher, you give up even more, more of yourself really,” said Dr. Colleen Brewer, diocesan superintendent of schools. “But the reward is so much deeper … you feel that deep sense of appreciation and love, so thank you and congratulations to those who are part of this and have been chosen for this divine purpose.”
CCSJ President Dr. Amy McCormack, who has been visiting Catholic schools throughout the diocese, mentioned feeling a renewed sense of gratitude and hope after witnessing an “incredible sense of joy, commitment and love,” from Catholic educators.
“For you [teacher candidates] that are going into the Catholic schools. I hope that you will feel that, too,” Dr. McCormack said, adding that her gratitude extends from a personal appreciation, as Catholic educators helped to shape her own two girls into the “loving, full of joy, committed and academically smart” individuals they are today.
Speaking on behalf of Big Shoulders Fund, Executive Director Dan Kozlowski shared the organization’s continued undertaking to support Catholic education. “As we continue to grow here in Northwest Indiana … we’re going to continue to support our educators as we climb this uphill battle to provide the best education to our students,” said Kozlowski, noting that Big Shoulders Northwest Indiana recently accepted the largest single-investment gift of $150 million from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation.
“We are so proud of you,” he said directly to the scholarship recipients, “and counting on you to continue to help us as we put great teachers in our classrooms here in our Catholic schools.”
The Northwest Indiana Teachers Scholarship recipients for 2024-25 are Gabriela Diaz, Allison Garrett, Sammantha Mori and David Zagorski. These individuals are enrolled in CCSJ’s accelerated Transition to Teaching (T2T) Program and will be expected to teach in one of the Catholic schools of the diocese for at least three years upon completion. Their commitment, however, will go far beyond this.
“I look forward to teaching in Catholic schools literally for the rest of my life,” said Garrett, who discontinued a fashion marketing career to be a stay-at-home mom and only recently discovered her calling to teach, which had opened after enrolling her three kids at St. Paul Catholic School in Valparaiso. She first volunteered in the classroom, then assisted as a substitute teacher, and last year worked as a teacher’s aide.
“Being a Catholic school teacher following in the footsteps of my grandmother, my mother and many other family members is exactly what God has called me to do,” Garrett said. “Being awarded this scholarship has been positively life-altering.” Garrett explained that with the encouragement of her family and parish community, she accepted the art teacher position at St. Paul, enrolled in the T2T program, and applied for the Northwest Indiana Teacher Scholarship - all within a 24-hour period.
Garrett’s commitment to Catholic education coincides with this newfound desire to work with children and share the faith. “We need to wrap our children in their faith to live out Christ’s mission, serving God, being a positive example and a leader in supporting his teachings in every part of our classroom – that is what we sign up for to be a successful Catholic educator.”
“There’s something special about a family’s decision for Catholic education,” said Sammantha Mori, another of the recipients of the 2024-25 Northwest Indiana Teachers Scholarship.
Mori had the chance to express her gratitude for the opportunity at the dinner on Sept. 7. “This opportunity ̶ the time, the commitment, the dedication, the mindset ̶ it’s going to set me on the path to success for my career, my future and my forever,” she said. “My focus on faith and community and education is growing every day.”
Caption: Dan Kozlowski, Executive Director of Big Shoulders Fund of Northwest Indiana; Dr. Amy McCormack, President of Calumet College of St. Joseph (right); pose for a picture with Sammantha Mori and Allison Garrett, two of the four recipients of the 2024-25 Northwest Indiana Teachers Scholarship; and Dr. Colleen Brewer, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Gary (left).