Shining Light Winner

Kathy Metz
Kindergarten teacher at Foundation Christian Academy

Kathy Metz, mother of 2 daughters, has taught kindergarten at Foundation Christian Academy since 2010 and served for many years as a Girl Scout leader. She is a highly requested teacher because of her reputation as a Christian and an excellent reading coach. She partners with parents to help her students grow academically, emotionally and spiritually. She has taught while battling cancer and caring for both of her ill parents and her father-in-law. She taught while dealing with the loss of those parents, losing her home to a fire and caring for a husband with major health issues.  She has volunteer to assist with the girls volleyball team, school festival, and the theatre program. She often stays late to assist with setting up for events, working concessions, taking tickets at the door, or assisting another teacher.  She’s a team player and a child advocate. She is one of the many deserving teachers showing up with a happy heart for her students each and every day. 

Shining Light Finalists

Julie Pollock
Teacher at St. Stephen Catholic School

Julie Pollock began teaching preschool as a teacher’s aide and eventually took over as a classroom teacher. Julie has been a part of St. Stephen Catholic School for the past 19 years. As a teacher, she has dedicated herself to her students and St. Stephen Catholic School with the belief that every student deserves to reach their potential. Julie gives her time to tutor students after school daily. She has promoted empathy throughout our school by initiating the school buddy program where middle school students are buddied-up with a preschool or kindergarten student each year. Many of our middle school students have stated that this program profoundly affected them, and the results are evident in their attitudes and behavior.

Julie has been active in the community throughout her life as well. She has volunteered for Scouts, the Civil Air Patrol, Vacation Bible School, and has been a member of Mom’s Clubs. Recently, Julie began training therapy dogs and guide dogs for the blind. She is an example for all of our students and for the community. 

Kathleen Greenberg
Teacher at Nativity Catholic School

Kathleen Greenberg has been dedicated to the field of education of children for close to 30 years. Her teaching career began with the Department of Defense Overseas Schools system where she was assigned to Korea, Germany , and Japan. Being raised in an Army family made this a natural choice to continue experiencing cultures around the world. She enjoys bringing these experiences to her students to add real world connections to their social studies lessons. Returning to the United States found her teaching in South Dakota and Washington D.C. until she and her family moved to the Brandon, Florida area. Kathleen is currently a teacher at Nativity Catholic School where she has taught for 10 years. Being able to share her faith with her students provides a connection unmatched by any previous travel experience and adds meaning to each day.

Kimberly Oates
VPK teacher at Bell Shoals Academy

Mrs. Oats is caring, honest, and professional in her classroom as well as in our ELC. She has an aura of positivity and kindness in all she does. Mrs. Oates is very active in her church and son’s school. She has taught for over eight years and volunteers as a cross country coach.

Terri Fellers
Teacher at Bell Shoals Academy

Terri Fellers teaches at Bell Shoals Academy

Shining Light Important Links

• Winner in 2019
• Winner in 2018
• Winner in 2017