MASTER TEACHER AWARD Presented to Michael Vietmeier During this year’s graduation celebration, the first-ever Forbes Master Teacher Chair was awarded to Cathedral’s fifth- and sixth-grade history teacher, Michael Vietmeier.
“Students and parents look for a variety of characteristics in a high school, but almost universally, everyone wants to ! nd a school with teachers like those at Cathedral...”
At the end of the yearlong process, the eighth graders receive their high school admission letters. They proudly wear their high school sweatshirts and antic- ipate adventures with new friends, new teachers, and new experiences. But make no mistake; they continue to wear their Cathedral sweatshirts, even after they’ve graduated! CSB faculty and staff eagerly welcome our graduates back to campus, and we look forward to visits from high school freshmen as they check in on their alma mater. We hear from graduates about how important Cathedral was to their development. Indeed, in the annual survey of graduates and their parents at the conclusion of the freshman year, the respondents usually highlight the positive influence of CSB teachers in preparing them for the rigors of high school. After their three or four or nine years here at Cathedral, our students are ready for their next step. We offer heartfelt goodbyes, knowing that they are well prepared for the journey ahead.
for, in the words of the School’s Statement of Philosophy, “modeling the highest standards in every respect.” The recipient of the award is selected by a committee composed of the Headmaster, the President of the Board of Trustees, the Director of Development, the previous year’s recipient (when available), and an alumni representative from the Board of Trustees. Nominees— submitted by Cathedral School staff, alumni, and parents—demonstrate excel- lence in teaching, display an abiding commitment to the School’s students, and express an ongoing commitment to professional growth. As part of the award, Mr. V. will receive a grant in addition to his salary, as well as a stipend to attend a professional
THE FORBES MASTER TEACHER CHAIR is the first endowed chair at Cathedral School for Boys. This Chair was started by the School’s loyal alumni, and it is intended to recognize outstanding teachers. This year, the honor was awarded to Michael Vietmeier. Mr. V.—as he is affectionately known by students, colleagues, and alums— has been at the School for 16 years. In addition to being an inspiring fifth- and sixth-grade history teacher, Mr. V. has served as soccer, basketball, and volleyball coach, mentor to students faculty, and an inspiration to the entire community. The Master Teacher Award, originally conceived of by Headmaster Jones, is awarded to a current faculty member who is widely respected within the School and recognized within the community
Mr. V and Mr. Mullen at Field Day 2019
development conference. Thank you to Bill Bennington ’79 and Greg Lee ’78 for spearheading the campaign that raised the funds for this, and to all alumni who contributed!
their schools to applicants and to get to know the applicants themselves. Already the boarding schools, which begin their admission cycles in the spring, have begun introducing their schools to our students through webinars and online meetings. In some ways, this earlier contact has been more meaningful than
in normal years because the commu- nication is more than just picking up brochures at a crowded school fair. Instead, our students have been able to hear not just from one admission repre- sentative, but also from current students, teachers, and administrators.
Upon receipt of the award, Mr. V. expressed his gratitude to the School community for its many years of support and friendship. Read on for his full reaction to the announcement.
Dear Cathedral Community: I was deeply humbled and honored to receive the inaugural Forbes Master Teacher Chair Award. As I listened to Bill Bennington and David Forbes talk about what this means, I was overcome with emotion. Teaching at CSB has truly been one of the greatest joys of my life. Over the course of my 16 seasons I have been surrounded by incredible colleagues whom I consider to be not just some of the best educators I have ever seen, but also some of the most wonderful people I have ever known. I am beyond grateful for all their guidance, wisdom, support, and friendship. They have taught me more than they know and made me a better teacher and a better person. I am thankful for all the families who have been the fabric of this community and who have trusted their sons to be in our care. Education is paramount to creating a better future for everyone and the responsibility of helping to guide our boys is a deeply
shared bond. I have relied on your insights and help many times over the years and I am grateful for all your support. Finally, but most importantly, I share this award with the boys. Without them my life would not be the same. I would not have this incredible opportunity to be part of their lives, and without all they have taught me, I would not be the teacher I am today. There is no way to adequately express the immense gratitude and love I have for them. As Rev. Forbes mentioned, education is a dance between student and teacher, sometimes one leads and the other follows, and sometimes it is the reverse. Through this process we grow, we struggle, we fall, and we rise. With compassion, empathy, strength, and love we can create the world in which we all want to live. I am grateful for this award and truly inspired to continue to work to uphold the responsibility I have been given. —Michael Vietmeier
WHERE THEY ARE HEADED! Good luck boys. We are so proud of you!
LOCAL SCHOOLS Branson (3) Drew (1) Lick-Wilmerding (2) St. Ignatius (6) Stuart Hall (3) University High School (4) Urban (1)
BOARDING SCHOOLS
Choate (2) Dunn (1) Hawaii Preparatory (1) Academy (1) Milton Academy (1) North Country School (1)
Philips Andover Academy (1) St. Andrew’s School (2) St. Paul’s School (1) Stevenson (2) Woodberry Forest (1)
30 | CATHEDRAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
FALL 2020 ! RED & GOLD | 31
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software