Fall 2019: Heartbeat and Annual Report 2019 Fall Heartbeat and Annual Report | Page 10

Margo: Being a TA provides terrific experience and builds
relationships. Prior to coming to this school, I had my own
classroom in Indianapolis. What I hadn’t done was teach at a
Sacred Heart School. I was incredibly fortunate to be Jill Renn’s
TA in Hardey 2. She gave me opportunities to take the lead
in multiple subjects and also to nurture the whole child.
Getting in the classroom, working with the same students all
year long, and watching great teachers in action helped me
feel confident and capable. Now that I’m a lead teacher, I have
more responsibilities for sure. But I also know that I can handle
twenty 6- and 7-year-old boys!
Heartbeat: What are some of the challenges and joys
of teaching?
Margo: Without a doubt, the biggest joy is seeing those
toothless grins! Each day is different, exciting, and new—the
main reason I love my job. You do have challenges—from
varied learners and personalities, to daily academic and social-
emotional challenges, not to mention, balancing my own life.
But I love a good challenge! All you can do is learn from
each moment.
Michelle: I consider myself incredibly fortunate to teach
kindergarteners who are so enthusiastic and eager to learn! I
find joy in instilling the love of learning while also pushing
students to challenge themselves. I try to foster a caring com-
munity of learners and take the time to understand the needs
and interests of each student. I love witnessing the “aha”
moments—when something clicks for the first time, especially
when students start reading for the first time.
Heartbeat: Ten years down the road, what do you imagine
yourself saying about this period of your life?
Additionally, she says, “We have six very individual kids with
different personalities and learning styles. Sacred Heart has a
stake in the success of our children—and all children. Their
teachers focus on their strengths and rise to the challenges that
occur. It brings comfort to us knowing that no matter what
is going on, we can call anyone with an issue—positive or
negative—and get feedback and help.”
Tom: I imagine myself in ten years saying how much of a baby
teacher I was! Also, how much I grew in those initial years
at Sacred Heart, which provided an incredible foundation for
the future.
Margo: I hope that I am still continuing to learn and love
what I do. I will, without a doubt, look back and think fondly
of these times—my first class of 1st grade Hardey gentlemen,
setting up my own classroom, the hilarious stories, and the
growth they made as readers and writers.
Nic: Whether I’m back home in Hawaii or still in Chicago,
I will say that I am a school counselor who is more resilient,
resourceful, empathetic and compassionate because of my
experience in the Apples classroom. Maybe by then, I will have
also guided a prospective school counselor into the classroom!
Michelle: Changing my career path was the best decision I
ever made and choosing to be a teacher at Sacred Heart Schools
helped reinforce that decision. I am so grateful that I work at
a school that allows me to educate both the hearts and minds
of students. I am proud of myself for maturing as an educa-
tor, while guiding my students in their academic, social, and
emotional growth.
Tom: Teaching is thrilling and challenging in the fact that
the to-do list is never complete and there is always something
to improve upon. The way Sacred Heart teachers strive for
excellence and don’t settle for mediocre pedagogy is a commit-
ment and demands a disciplined work ethic.
Nic: A huge challenge is dealing with compassion fatigue—
there are some moments or even entire days where your
physical or emotional levels are pushed. However, the joys of
teaching are what help you revitalize yourself: watching a
student clear that mental hurdle to figure out a math problem,
helping another student achieve something they thought was
out of reach, or even just hearing laughter. For me, it’s all
about working with others to light that fire for the love of
learning because if we succeed, we’ll both burn a little brighter
moving forward.
Lucky, Blessed, Grateful
Nic Nagata helps a student at an event created by the kindergarten TAs to
showcase STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities.
Parents Stacey and Tim delight in family time spent with their children
(l to r) Ryan, TJ, Kiley, Kate, Charlie, and Jack.
With a family consisting of two sets of triplets born one year
apart, you might think Stacey and Tim Cavanagh would feel
overwhelmed in juggling parenthood and successful careers.
Not so. “It’s all we know! We wanted a big family and it’s
a lot of fun,” Tim says. Stacey adds, “We feel lucky, blessed,
and grateful.”
The choice to select Sacred Heart Schools for the older set of
triplets—Charlie, Jack, Ryan, and the younger set—Kate,
Kiley, and TJ, was helped along by Stacey’s mother, beloved
former Sacred Heart kindergarten teacher Lynn Feeley. “My
mother always told us how incredible Sacred Heart was as an
independent, Catholic, and single-gender school. But what
spoke to the strength of the Sacred Heart community was when
we were expecting our children. Before we were even part of
the community, we learned that the then-Head of Schools,
Sr. Susan Maxwell, her colleagues, students, dozens of parents,
along with my mother, were praying for us. Once the children
arrived, we would receive presents from families we didn’t
even know.” The choice was clear. The Cavanaghs’ first set of
triplets entered kindergarten in 2012.
In addition to their children growing in the classroom, Stacey
and Tim have grown within the Sacred Heart community.
“We have met so many families we might not have otherwise
had the chance to meet through school activities, the kids’
many sporting events, and our work with the Annual Fund.”
Stacey and Tim joined the Annual Fund Council in 2014 at
the request of then-Annual Fund Council Chair and Board
Chair Emeritus, Aric Cleland. The Cavanaghs chaired the
Annual Fund during the 2018-19 academic year, enjoying the
camaraderie surrounding the yearly initiative. “The Annual
Fund provides an opportunity for the entire community to
focus on getting involved through giving, which supports the
school and all children,” Stacey said.
Sacred Heart gets the kids to
think of other people, their
communities, the world, and
those less fortunate.
Reflecting upon their family’s experiences, Tim shares, “Sacred
Heart gets the kids to think of other people, their communi-
ties, the world, and those less fortunate. You don’t walk away
from Sacred Heart without the five Goals.” Stacey concludes,
“I have watched young adults embrace my mother and other
teachers at Prize Days. In addition to living the Goals, I hope
the friendships our children have made will last a lifetime.
There is just something special about Sacred Heart.”
Like many Sacred Heart parents, the Cavanaghs focus a great
deal on Goal V: Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
“We want all of our children to be able to face different situa-
tions and make wise choices,” says Stacey, “and when they
make less than wise choices, to be able to reflect on what would
have been a better choice. Through the Goals and Criteria,
Sacred Heart is building character in all of our children.”
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