FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
BISHOP DIMARZIO AND THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN HONOR EDUCATORS ON TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, today is releasing a video message in celebration of “Teacher Appreciation Day.” In his message, Bishop DiMarzio calls teachers “special people” who “give of themselves to their students,” while acknowledging the many challenges that teachers have had to face in the wake of the Coronavirus.
“We want to thank our teachers for what they do, for the sacrifices they make and for all the special sacrifices they have made during this time of the pandemic. We tip our hats to them because we know that their work will have an effect and our students will not fall behind. This learning experience perhaps teaches us that even when it’s difficult to learn, we perhaps sometimes learn better,” states Bishop DiMarzio.
Teachers of Diocese of Brooklyn academies and schools have risen to the challenge of teaching full-time in a virtual environment. By the first week of remote learning, 85% of our 3rd to 8th grade students were successfully transitioned to distance learning. By the end of March, close to 100% of them were learning online and digitally, thanks in part to the partnership with DeSales Media Group, which has provided diocesan academies with 11,000 Chromebooks and iPads.
“When the COVID-19 outbreak hit New York, we knew that our teachers would be challenged in ways they never were before, both professionally and spiritually. Although it wasn’t easy for them, I am extremely proud to say, our Catholic school teachers have risen to the occasion with great distinction,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes all elementary Catholic academies and schools in Brooklyn and Queens.
The Diocese of Brooklyn is grateful for the dedication of all its Catholic School teachers every day, but especially on National Teacher Appreciation Day. Being a Catholic school teacher is a vocation and not just a profession. In everyday life, our teachers have an essential role in a child’s Catholic education as they are our children’s trusted role models.
Bishop DiMarzio’s video message can be found on vimeo.com/414837749.
A tribute to teachers can be found on twitter.com/catholicschlsbq.
Teachers and students would be available for interviews.