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While Mrs. Reynolds led the students in carols, Mrs. Smircich sat behind her eighth-graders, dressed for their Nativity scene, and Mrs. Doellefeld sat beside her Kindergarten "elves."

After more than 20 years of Christmas pageants at All Saints Academy in Albany (formerly Holy Cross and St. Teresa of Avila Schools), no one would blame the three teachers for growing tired of holiday songs.

"But you know something? Even after all this time, I never get sick of the music," said Mrs. Reynolds.

The three teachers were recently honored for their decades of service to Catholic education at a diocesan Catholic schools liturgy: Margaret Doellefeld, for 25 years of work in Catholic schools; and Judith Reynolds and Janice Smircich, for 35 years of teaching.

Early specialist
"It's my pleasure to teach, so to be honored for something that I love to do is a real gift," said Mrs. Doellefeld, the Kindergarten teacher at All Saints Academy.

Even after 25 years, she still finds excitement and joy when she sees her students growing: "It's that moment when they get it, when they finally understand something they've been working on - when you see that on their face, that's the best part about teaching."

A native of Utica, Mrs. Doellefeld always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Teaching Kindergarteners, she said, is just a bonus.

"It's such a great grade. The children are fresh, new, and genuine; they're so open to learning."

Mrs. Smircich's classroom shows proof of her many years of teaching. Decorations and a "hall of fame" full of pictures and cards from former students adorn the walls.

The Long Island native has taught English at the elementary school for 23 of her 46 years of teaching.

"I just love it," she said. "I've had the same classroom since I started working here, so I could make it my own. This place is like home to me now - and I'm always glad to come home."

Although Mrs. Smircich also teaches religion, spelling and literature, she said that, "in the end, I just want to teach [each student] to be a good Christian person and to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. That's what I want them to take with them."

Trusting notes
Mrs. Reynolds, the music teacher, has been teaching at All Saints for 32 years - long before the school had its current name. Her many years of teaching have given her a certain advantage with her students, she said: Because she meets her students in Kindergarten and works with them through eighth grade, they trust her.

"The subject I'm teaching asks a lot of the children. Especially with things like Christmas pageants, we're asking them to stand up in the spotlight. They know they can trust me that I won't make them look like a fool," said Mrs. Reynolds.

Knit tightly
The greatest part of their years together, said Mrs. Reynolds, is that the faculty, families and students have become a classroom family. Former students now teach at All Saints; younger siblings now have the same teachers that their older brothers and sisters did; teachers knows the families of students; the faculty depends on and works with one another.

Mrs. Doellefeld agreed: "We support each other here. And because of the faith of our school, everyone has a sense of belonging to a community and family that is doing God's work."

So, instead of being a chaotic and stressful event, for Mrs. Doellefeld, Mrs. Smircich and Mrs. Reynolds, the All Saints Academy Christmas pageant has become more like a reunion.

(12/23/10)[[In-content Ad]]

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