Local Catholic School teacher awarded 2024 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- A local first grade teacher has been awarded this year's St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

On Thursday morning students and faculty of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School gathered in the gymnasium for a special announcement. Out of hundreds present, only a few had a clue as to what was happening.

When unexpectedly, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki appeared and called first-grade teacher Cheryl Valdahl to the podium.

The crowd erupted in applause as Valdahl was name this year's recipient of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award.

“I was shocked, and it’s very humbling,” Valdahl said. “It’s so amazing and touching. I can’t believe the people who came here today and all of this. It’s amazing.”

Valdahl has been teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes School for 39 years.

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award recognizes one Catholic teacher who is making a big difference in the classroom, who authentically lives out what it means to be Catholic and instills the Catholic faith into her students, and who embodies St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who founded Catholic schools in the United States.

The Office for Catholic Schools and Office for Communications for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, organizers of the award, received a record 176 nominations from across the diocese from principals, teachers, parents, previous students, and current students this year. The Office for Catholic Education then narrowed the list to five finalists before selecting Valdahl as the winner.

There are 43 Catholic schools in the diocese, 36 elementary, 7 high schools.

“Our school is an awesome school to teach at and the people I work with are so supportive, and the parents and God keeps me here,” Valdahl said. “To be able to teach the students and show them this is what God would want you to do or what do you think God would want you to do, and to be able to share that with the students, is amazing. I love teaching. It is an honor to be able to still do this.”

“Mrs. Vahldahl’s encouraging, caring, and loving nature has instilled confidence in children for decades and she practices what she preaches,” said David Rayhill, parent of a student. “She is a shining example of what educators should stand for through her commitment to faith, family and providing a fantastic educational experience for her young students.”