As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, there is one school who has a gift the whole school year. That would be our final Crystal Apple award winner of 2020.

Her name is Ms. Pat Domann. She is the assistant principal and a teacher at St. John Catholic School in Lawrence. Here is her nominee’s submission:

“Ms. Pat Domann has been a gift to St John’s Catholic School for many years. She devotes so much time and energy to her fourth and fifth grade pupils. She comes in early, works during breaks, and stays late daily to promote the independence of her students. During the first month of school, she has her nine-year-old kiddos starting to type paragraphs to begin stories. She uses creative names to discuss commas, prepositional phrases, etc. that allow for these concepts to be absorbed by the children. Many of her students will double their words read per minute while under her instruction.

She is the model of kindness and respect to her students. Welcoming each with a smile; they laugh, joke, & work together as they grow closer during the year. She navigates problems so effectively that it looks effortless. Together, they read about current events, discuss thoughts, & will even hold debates to learn & understand other points of view. She shows them that they can have opinions, use words correctly to express their thoughts, & that all perspectives give grace & beauty to our world.”