Capitalizing on Her JoyRead Time 9 min

A church and school called St. Mary has weaved a thread through the past and present Catholic education journey of Colleen Parks.

St. Mary in Menasha was her faith home growing up. St. Mary’s Visitation, Elm Grove, is her faith home now, and is where God is using her to help fourth graders grow up immersed in the same faith that acts as the center of her life.

“I got married at this church and my children were baptized at this church,” she says of the parish, “so I have lots of connections to this parish and this community and the school.”

Parks is one of six teachers who will be honored with the 2026 Catholic Herald Teacher of the Year Award at the Archbishop’s Catholic Schools Dinner on March 4.

Parks, a graduate of St. Norbert College, De Pere, who also holds a master’s in reading from Cardinal Stritch University, has given 18 years of her life to the school over two tenures, and has witnessed a strong sense of stability in a community that includes many alumni parents and many families very active in the parish.

“When they come here, they feel like it’s a comfortable place to be,” she said.

“I like how you go to church on the weekend and you see the kids there and their families there. They’re at donut Sunday, or the family Rosary twice a month. You can see them there. You can make those connections to what the priest said at the homily. It’s very tangible. It’s very concrete that way.”

Concrete, tangible and real is exactly what Parks attempts to make the Catholic faith in everyday ways for her children, within and far beyond the sacramental experience.

“I take a lot of time and energy to think about how I can intentionally make the connection between faith practices and daily life, be it simple as teaching a new devotion or talking about their own experiences at home.

A simple example involves a research project her students are doing on individual U.S. states, something she hopes will create a mindset of seeking things reflecting God’s presence in everyday life.

“It’s even as simple as making a Catholic connection for the state you’re researching for your presentation. Trying to intentionally make connections whenever I can, and something they could do,” Parks said. “Hopefully they’re thinking of this in other ways, so they carry this on in everything they do. ‘How can I make a Catholic connection to the things I do?’”

Parks also takes advantage of what St. Mary’s Visitation Parish offers on its grounds to create lessons of service in faith, including service field trips to the cemetery.

“Every November, she takes her class on an All Saints/All Souls Day field trip to the parish cemetery where they have a prayer service. She promotes and practices the Spiritual Work of Mercy of praying for the dead,” said Siegfried Spelter, Principal of St. Mary’s Visitation.

In addition, Parks shows leadership in organizing school-wide projects such the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program and a recent school-wide assembly on vocations.

“Colleen is an excellent role model in how to live a faith-filled life for her students, and those lucky enough to be in her class benefit tremendously from her work and example,” Spelter adds.

Parks says that her 26 years teaching in Catholic schools have given her reason for hope in the young people whom Catholic schools educate.

“I think they’re totally open for practicing their faith,” she says. “They’re very engaged and open to learning as much as they can about their faith. They want to know; they want to be able to live it out.”

Colleen Parks has taught at her parish school, St. Mary’s Visitation, Elm Grove, for a total of 18 years, including eight years as fourth grade teacher. (Submitted photo)

As deeply thankful as Parks is for receiving Teacher of the Year, she is not the type to toot her own horn, even as the coworkers and parents whom she calls “awesome” effusively praised her in countless recommendation letters.

“This is what I do. I feel like this is what I should be doing,” she humbly shares. “I shouldn’t really get extra credit for that. I’m doing what I should be doing. I want to walk the walk.”

She encourages others discerning a career in teaching to remember that Catholic schools offer a unique opportunity to share the core of God’s truth in an educational setting.

“Have enthusiasm, capitalize on your joy about sharing your faith. Be very open to sharing it,” she says.

“It’s important to be proud to share your faith and to be proud to be a Catholic. It’s something that you should be proud to be.”

Get to know Mrs. Parks:

Home parish: St. Mary’s Visitation, Elm Grove

I live in: Elm Grove

I knew I’d become a teacher when: I decided in college that teaching would be a good fit for me since teachers need to be focused but flexible at the same time. I also like interacting with young people and trying to figure them out.

I love teaching in a Catholic school because: I can openly practice my faith each day. I enjoy sharing our faith traditions with my students and am inspired by watching them grow in the Catholic faith.

Favorite scripture verse: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Favorite book: As a teacher I have loved reading “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” with my students because of its humor and themes of compassion and kindness —plus it’s a Christmas story, and I love Christmas.

Favorite saint: So hard to choose one, but St. Anthony of Padua is a favorite because the image of him holding the child Jesus really resonates with me, and also he is a fantastic listener.

When it comes to our faith, I want children to know: Jesus desires a relationship with you, loves you, and will never forget about you. Find joy in practicing your faith through sacraments, scripture, learning about the saints, acts of service, prayer and other devotions.

My family: Husband, Patrick, and two young adult daughters.

I love Catholic school for my own children because: I wanted them to build their faith foundation in a Catholic environment and traditions.