January 7, 2008

Niagara Falls educator to be honored at Catholic Education Dinner

She has been described as the “epitome of a dedicated, committed, selfless and professional educator who merits the respect and love of her students, parents and fellow faculty members.” She has been an educator in schools in the Diocese of Buffalo for almost 37 years; 23 years have been at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Niagara Falls. Who is she? She is Mary L. Posch, a fourth grade teacher and the recipient of the 2008 Sister Lucille Socciarelli/Father John Sturm Making a Difference Award.

Posch will be recognized at the 8th annual Celebrate Catholic Education dinner on Thursday, Jan. 24, at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.

Several years ago, Buffalo native Tim Russert, host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” established the annual award to honor a teacher in the Diocese of Buffalo whose extraordinary dedication is truly making a difference in the lives of his or her students. The award serves as a constant reminder of the deep social concern and high standards and values exemplified by Sister Mary Lucille Socciarelli, RSM, and Father John Sturm, SJ, both of whom have had a profound impact on Russert’s life at St. Bonaventure School in West Seneca and Canisius High School.

Always willing to help, Posch has been a teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School since 1984 and has embraced both the school and the Niagara Falls parish. She has served as the school’s vice principal since 1988, writes a weekly column for the parish bulletin publicizing the school’s activities and goals and sits on various boards and committees. Outside of her classroom, Posch worked on the Diocesan English Curriculum Committee, has given teacher in-services and continues to pursue her own professional development.

“You can always count on her being the first one to school and the last one to leave,” said Jeannine Fortunate, principal at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. “Her life is one of generous service. The exceptional beauty in all of this is that she does all that she does quietly and without fanfare.”

Her students are Posch’s focus. She’s not only concerned with their time in her classroom, but for when they will become positive members of society. Class projects have enabled the students in her class to gain a foundation for their future by establishing organizational skills.

“Mrs. Posch is totally dedicated to preparing the ‘total’ child to take a productive role in society,” said Fortunate.

Also an active member of her own parish, St. Francis in Tonawanda, Posch is a facilitator for the Rainbows for all God’s Children Support Group for children experiencing loss through divorce or death. In addition, she served as adviser for the Academic DeCathlon and Young Writers Conference, cheerleading adviser, and coordinator for mission donations.

Since the dinner’s inception in 2001, nearly $1 million has gone directly to support the needs of Catholic schools and religious education programs in the eight counties of Western New York that make up the Diocese of Buffalo.

The lead sponsor for this year’s dinner is Uniland Development Company. Event sponsors are Maid of the Mist Corporation, Schneider Design, Architects, PC, Katie Schneider Photography and the William E. & Ann L. Swan Foundation.

To sponsor the event or to purchase tickets or tables, please contact the Diocesan Foundation Office at 716.847.8373, or visit www.frcdb.org/dinner.2008

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