God Bless you on your Retirement

Thank you for your many years of service.

Mr. Paul Legace, Canadian & World Studies Department

I’ve had the privilege to teach at St. Theresa of Lisieux CHS for the past nine years and it has been one of the most rewarding of my 31.5 years in education. Previously I had taught for 22 years in the elementary panel. I’ve taught in six different schools over my career but STL has been by far and wide the best school I’ve ever taught in.

STL is a dynamic, faith based community that instills the “little way” of its patron saint. It’s been an honour to work with colleagues who strive to build a Christian community. I always wanted to teach history at the secondary level and Joe Servidio and Ed Lavor gave me that opportunity back in 2011. Canadian history has been a passion of mine since I was a youngster. My friends in CWS and STL’s resourceful librarian Ms Meschino made teaching history a team effort and a very enjoyable journey. I enjoyed teaching World Religions with the Religion department and going on a number of temple hops to various religious places of worship.

Throughout my nine years at STL I’ve been blessed to work with very professional administrators who were tremendous leaders and communicators. I want to thank them for their support, encouragement and warmth. I want to thank my friends and colleagues in the religion and CWS departments. Your generosity, patience, encouragement and sense of humour have left an indelible mark upon me. I don’t recall ever having laughed as much as with my friends in CWS. Thank you so much! I worked with many fine teachers in the Physical Education department over the years as a coach and I would like to thank them for their efforts to build one of the best athletics programs in York Region. Athletics builds character and school spirit and STL has many dedicated coaches and athletes. It’s been a privilege to have worked with all of you.

Lastly I would like to thank the countless students who I’ve had the privilege to teach. Your enthusiasm, dedication and industriousness have been much appreciated. I hope I’ve been able to leave you a little wiser and interested to go and explore more about our country’s past and its relevance to our society today. It’s my wish that you use your numerous talents to make our world a kinder, more peaceful and just place for all of God’s creation.

Paul Legace

Ms. Donna Pignataro, Student Services, Behavioural Resource Worker

St Theresa of Lisieux is not simply a structure made of brick and mortar...it is a very special place where all those who enter, are immediately struck with the vibrant energy and commitment to academic excellence, faith- in-action and a genuine care for one another. I have been blessed to be part of the STL community since 2003 and believe that St Theresa worked her magic in allowing me to stay for 17 wonderful years.

As the Behaviour Resource Worker - Student Services at STL, it has always been my vocation to serve our students, staff and school community. I will forever cherish so many wonderful memories of being able to care for students in times of difficulty or when they needed support to make different choices. I often use narratives to help students understand a particular situation and there is one quote that has been a bit of a mantra. "In life, obstacles are inevitable...being defeated is optional." Thank you to the many amazing students who have taught me about the resiliency of being a teenager and the wisdom to believe that change is possible.

STL has had a tremendous number of celebrations and accomplishments as well as challenging times. The one notable difference which sets our school apart from the rest, is in the united camaraderie and commitment of the staff. My gratitude to the many Administrators, Teachers and Support staff who have made STL such a joy to be part of. In particular, thank you to my colleagues in Guidance and Special Education - you are a very special group of people and our students are well cared for.

As I get ready to embark on retirement, I can truly reflect on my time at STL with fondness and appreciation for being a small part of something greater. As our patron St Theresa of Lisieux calls us to do, may each and every one of you continue to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.

Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the many wonderful years at STL. Wishing all of you blessings for continued strength, love and wellness as summer approaches and the transition back to school awaits.

Fondly,

Donna Pignataro