By Christina Leslie, Correspondent
Tara Brazinski, an educator in St. Catharine School, Spring Lake, for 17 years, was bestowed Georgian Court University’s “Academic Achievement Award in Administration and Leadership” during the Lakewood university’s May 14 graduation exercises. The master’s level award is earned by the student with the highest GPA in the program, and for excellence in educational administration.
“I wanted to grow professionally and make a greater impact within Catholic education,” Brazinski said. After earning a Catholic School Management certificate from Villanova University, she taught at St. Catharine’s while attending classes at GCU in pursuit of her master’s degree. Earning top spot in the program’s roster was “especially meaningful because it reflected the hard work, dedication and passion I have for Catholic education and leadership,” she said.
Brazinski, an alumna of St. Catharine School, currently serves as its middle school teacher and director of curriculum, and will be named the Spring Lake school’s vice principal in the coming school year. She and her husband, Michael, are parents of three young sons – like their mother, students in St. Catharine School. Brazinski credits principal Donna White; pastor Father Damian McElroy, and longtime staff member, Sister Carole MacKenthun, as strong supporters.
“Returning as an educator and now stepping into a leadership role makes this journey even more meaningful to me,” she said. “St. Catharine helped shape the person I am today, and I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to give back to the same school community that gave so much to me growing up.”
Brazinski said of the award, “I hope that by continuing my own education and pursuing leadership opportunities, I can inspire my students to always strive for personal growth and lifelong learning. I want them to see that learning does not stop after high school or college, and that with determination and support, they can achieve goals they may never have imagined for themselves.”
Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent for school development and operations, called Brazinski “a standout participant in the diocesan Catholic Leadership Academy for several years,” and noted the award “reflects the same dedication, work ethic, and commitment to growth. … The future of Catholic education depends on strong, mission-driven leaders who are willing to answer.”
Brazinski said, “I love sharing my faith with my students, and you can’t do that in public schools. I am always going to be a Catholic educator.”
Some information for this article was provided by Georgian Court University.