Bishop Joseph L. Imesch Award for "Excellence in Teaching"

Patricia Lee has been a teacher at St. Mary Catholic School in Plano for eight years. Mrs. Lee is a creative, spiritual instructor who guides her students in discovery. She embraces current education theories and infuses all of her curricular presentations with Catholic teachings and philosophies.

She begins each year by posting a “Days to Reconciliation” calendar in the classroom. The students count down, and you can feel their excitement and anticipation when you visit her classroom. As soon as Reconciliation is complete, she begins her “Countdown to Eucharist” She also works to incorporate the REO children into her prayers and celebrations. Each year Mrs. Lee designs a huge chalice poster that hangs in or near her classroom.  All children preparing for Eucharist sign the chalice as a reminder to pray for each other during preparation.

Mrs. Lee also serves as Religion Coordinator, and is Chair of the Faculty Social Committee. She helps produce the school yearbook and still finds time to maintain a website and send home weekly newsletters to parents of her students. She is a tremendously respected member of the school staff.