Educators dedicate 25 and 50 years to Catholic schools
Diocesan staff, two principals among those recognized the past two years
Published: April 23, 2021
Fifteen Catholic school teachers, staff members and administrators were recognized in 2020 and 2021 for serving 25 and 50 years in Catholic schools. These honorees are usually recognized by the Catholic Schools Office during Professional Day, but no in-person events were held in 2020 and 2021.
50 years
Sister Joan Pfauser, RSM, director of archives and Mercy charism at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. She previously served at Mercy High School, St. Louis; St. Alphonsus School and Holy Name of Jesus School, both in New Orleans; and Mount St. Mary High School in Oklahoma City.
25 years
Marguerite Olberts, associate superintendent of Catholic schools for marketing and public relations. She previously was principal at Our Lady of Fatima School in Benton and St. Theresa School in Little Rock.
Teri Breeding, high school principal, overseeing grades 7-12 at St. Joseph School in Conway
Brent Bruich, director of high school athletics for grades 7-12, physical science teacher, and boys’ basketball and cross country coach at St. Joseph School in Conway
Melanie Kordsmeier, academic interventionist for grades 1-12 at St. Joseph School in Conway. She is retiring in May.
Laurie Hindman, fourth-grade teacher at Immaculate Conception School in Fort Smith. She is resigning at the end of the school year.
Christie Rader, computer lab and technology instructor at Immaculate Conception School in North Little Rock
Eileen Freeman, middle school teacher and flutist at school Masses at St. Joseph School in Paris
Melanie Meuse-Warg, P.E. teacher at St. Theresa School in Little Rock. She has also worked at St. Edward in Little Rock and Immaculate Heart of Mary and North Little Rock Catholic Academy in North Little Rock.
Joan Finnegan, registrar and executive assistant at Catholic High School in Little Rock. She retired Jan. 31.
Richard Cochran, an English teacher and assistant football coach at Catholic High School in Little Rock. He previously worked at St. Joseph High School in Pine Bluff.
Gretchen Gowen, English Department chairwoman, journalism teacher and newspaper and yearbook advisor at Catholic High School in Little Rock. She previously taught at Our Lady of the Holy Souls School in Little Rock.
John Taylor, fourth- through sixth-grade math and science teacher at Sacred Heart School in Morrilton
Nancy Handloser, principal at Our Lady of Holy Souls School in Little Rock
Melissa Roberson, pre-K teacher at Our Lady of the Holy Souls School in Little Rock
I knew in fifth grade Jesus was my best friend