The faculty and staff at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School is second to none. They put forth extraordinary efforts to do everything they possibly can for the students. Several alumni who know the value of an education on Husky Hill have returned in various roles to help make the school the best it can be.
Currently, five members of the staff at Bishop Carroll are graduates. Ray Seymour (1963), Sue (Strittmatter) Freidhof (1979), Annalisa (Snair) McCann (1996), Jonathan Nagy (2001), and Natalie (Bukowski) McGuire (2012) have joined the staff over the years in various capacities, each finding their way back home in a different way.
Mr. Seymour has taught at Bishop Carroll since 1969. He taught in a public high school for two years but felt that he was limited in how he would be able to teach. Mrs. McCann commented, “I wasn’t looking for a job at the time, but when I saw an article in the Bishop Carroll newsletter describing that the school was looking for someone to help the in alumni office, it sounded perfect. I eagerly came for an interview, and it felt like coming home!” Mr. Nagy came back immediately after graduating college. He said, “I got a call on the first day of school asking if I wanted a job. I was thrilled to return to the school that gave me so much.” Mrs. Freidhof said of her experience, “When the opportunity arose for me to join the staff at BC, I knew I wanted to be part of the team of dedicated people who work here.” Mrs. McGuire said she was drawn to come back to BC for two reasons. “One, I enjoy teaching using unique methods and setting high expectations and Bishop Carroll encourages both. Secondly, Bishop Carroll is a community that feels like a family.”
All of these individuals commented on how the education at Bishop Carroll meets all the high expectations that people come to expect. Mrs. McCann added, “The education that the students receive here is about more than academics. They learn how respect, compassion, and helping others is just as important as their book studies.” Mrs. Freidhof took the opportunity to explain what the education here is like by using her family as an example. She said, “There are several reasons why my husband and I chose to send our three children to Bishop Carroll. For us, the number one reason is the good environment, which could provide an excellent education with high standards, including the opportunities to earn college credit.” Mrs. McGuire explained, “The teachers and students all work together here in learning and understanding while at the same time having fun. Teachers go above and beyond to ensure that students are motivated and challenging themselves. Mr. Nagy added, “The curriculum at the school has been created and continues to adapt to all learning styles and interests. The ability to quickly adjust to the needs of the students is not something that can be found everywhere.” Mr. Seymour succinctly stated, “This school stresses all aspects of the person, spirit, heart, mind, and body.”
Each alumni staff member remembers fondly their time here as a student, and they hope that through their work, they can help created a similar experience for the current and future students at the school. Mr. Seymour remembers fondly the dedication of his teachers, which he now has become the flag bearer of the entire staff in terms of dedication. Mrs. Freidhof said she felt very comfortable and welcomed here as a student, and as the first face people see as they enter the building, she has become the very thing that she remembers so fondly from her youth. Mrs. McCann enjoyed being involved in so many activities and clubs while a student, and she currently helps run many activities, including yearbook, fundraisers, morale boosting activities, and the drama club. Mr. Nagy was grateful for the kindness shown to him as a student and works every day to show similar kindness to all of the students. Mrs. McGuire enjoyed the atmosphere of the school and all of the “extras” provided to the students in terms of Spirit Week and Catholic Schools Week, and she now fully participates and encourages all of these activities. Each person has taken their favorite experience and has become that as a member of the staff.
All five have hopes and dreams for Bishop Carroll moving forward into 2022 and beyond. Mr. Seymour stated, “I hope that people see that we provide a truly Catholic education, and that more parents are encouraged to make the sacrifice for their children to attend BC.” Mrs. McCann has two young children who she hopes to see walking through these halls as students, and as she said, ‘Feeling at home here as I have always felt.” Mrs. McGuire believes that the school will continue to adapt to the needs of the students. She said, “I hope more parents will take advantage of giving their children a Catholic education at Bishop Carroll that focuses on both spirituality and academics. Change is inevitable if a community wants to grow, so I also hope that parents, students, and teachers welcome new ideas, teaching strategies, and collaborative efforts which will provide potential growth possibilities,” Mrs. Freidhof would love nothing more than to see enrollment grow on Husky Hill. “I hope families see how affordable the school is and everything that it has to offer. An education here will have a lasting impact on their future.” Finally, Mr. Nagy said, “Bishop Carroll has existed for 63 years, and I not only hope but I know, through the grace of God, that it will continue to exist long into the future. So many people care about the school and throughout history have seen it through so much and will continue to do so long after we all are gone.”
Thank you to all of these dedicated individuals for what they do for their alma mater!