Discover the Difference: Educators, Administrators & Volunteers to be Honored

by Diocese of Des Moines | June 30, 2023

The Diocese of Des Moines will honor educators, administrators and volunteers for their exceptional service to Catholic education during the second annual Bishop's Celebration of Catholic Schools on Aug. 26 at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines. This event unites the entire Diocese of Des Moines community in celebration of the life-changing impact our faith-centered education has provided for more than 150 years.

Three honorees from across the diocese were selected out of nearly 70 nominations for this award. Honorees were selected based on their demonstrated impact on the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic schools and their commitment to faith, academic excellence, and fostering a vibrant school community. This year's honorees include:

Administrator of the Year

Misty Hade, St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Ankeny

Misty Hade is known for being tenacious and detailed in her work. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Iowa State University and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University. She is also endorsed in Reading. As a goal-orientated faithful educational leader, Hade applies a shared leadership approach to her role at St. Luke's, working collaboratively with all stakeholders to maximize the academic development of each student and the professional development of each staff member. Her dedication to the success of St. Luke's is evident in her efforts to help the school flourish by doubling its enrollment in the last five years.

Teacher of the Year

Ann Levine, St. Malachy Catholic School in Creston

For 45 years, Ann Levine has taught first grade at St. Malachy Catholic School. Education is her vocation, and St. Malachy was her first (and only) teaching position. Not only an advocate for her students, Levine also rallied in support of her fellow educators, pushing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Dedicated to the mission of Catholic education, her starting salary at the school was only $10,000 a year. However, this never deterred her; she has committed her life to her students, colleagues and the school.

Volunteer of the Year

Katie Fitzgerald, St. Anthony Catholic School in Des Moines

Katie Fitzgerald earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Communications with a Marketing minor. After college, she joined the Principal Financial Group, where she worked until her oldest son was born. Fitzgerald is well-known to the St. Anthony community. Whether singing at Mass every weekend, leading church committees, or serving as Home and School President, her ability to build fellowship through volunteerism has enormously impacted St. Anthony Catholic Church and School. She and her husband, Joe, are the proud parents of three children - two attending Dowling Catholic and one attending St. Anthony. 

"All of this year's nominees are stellar examples of faith in action with a desire to promulgate the Catholic faith through strong, vibrant Catholic schools," shared Donna Bishop, Superintendent of Schools. "While it was difficult to narrow the honorees down to three individuals, I believe the three chosen were the best of the best. We are blessed to have such amazing administrators, teachers and volunteers advocating on behalf of our Catholic schools."

Honorary Chairs

Tom Chapman, Iowa Catholic Conference

Tom Chapman's dedication, passion and commitment to Catholic education over the past 16 years has opened up countless streams of state assistance for Catholic education since he started his role with the Iowa Catholic Conference in 2007. He is highly respected by many stakeholders in educational choice. He has collaborated with groups, including the Iowa Association of Christian Schools, Family Leader Network, Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education, American Federation for Children, and American Association for Educational Choice. In addition, he spent the last 11 years working with state legislators to make Educational Savings Accounts a reality for Iowa families.

John George and Mary Goddard, Kremer Foundation

The George and Mary Kremer Foundation was established in 1985 to provide Catholic elementary schools in the continental United States with Tuition Assistance Grants for children from financially challenged families. Since the Foundation's inception, more than 88,000 Catholic elementary school students have benefited from the Foundation's Tuition Assistance Grants. The Kremer Foundation has awarded over $80 million dollars in tuition grants to Catholic elementary schools, including schools in the Diocese of Des Moines.

Event Co-Chairs

Stephanie and Spencer Cox – St. Francis of Assisi, West Des Moines

Spencer and Stephanie are proud parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi. They live in Urbandale with their four children: Logan - Dowling Catholic graduate, senior at Iowa State University studying Cyber Security; Kennedy - Dowling Catholic graduate, sophomore at Iowa State studying Human Resource Management; Tatum - junior at Dowling Catholic; and Harper - eighth grader at St. Francis. Spencer is an Institutional Wealth Consultant with UBS in West Des Moines, and Stephanie is an Executive Talent Acquisition Partner with Principal Financial Group.

Tracy Deutmeyer and Matt Edwards – St. Luke the Evangelist, Ankeny

Tracy Deutmeyer and Matt Edwards are parishioners at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Ankeny. They have three daughters, all students at St. Luke Catholic School in Ankeny. Twins Caroline and Calista are sixth graders, and Camryn is in the second grade. Tracy is a trademark attorney with Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. in Des Moines, and Matt is a Director of Operation Services for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. in Urbandale. This is their second year serving as co-chairs of this celebration.

Sara and Dan Huegerich – St. Pius X, Urbandale

The Huegerichs realize the value of a Catholic education as Dan and Sara went to Catholic grade schools and Kuemper High School in the Carroll area. They are grateful to be passing on that gift to their five children, Ben (Dowling alumnus, Iowa State sophomore), Thomas (Dowling senior), Elise (Dowling sophomore), Gianna (St. Pius X fourth grade), and Peter (St. Pius X second grade). They usually tackle a DIY project when they are not cheering on their children on and off the fields. Parishioners at St. Pius X strive to love and serve the Lord.

Annie and Andrew Salgado – Christ the King, Des Moines

They have been active members of Christ the King Parish since they were married in 2007. Their oldest will be a freshman at Dowling Catholic in the fall, and their daughters will be in sixth and third grades at Christ the King School.

Keynote Speakers

This year's event will also feature keynote speaker and Dowling Catholic alumna Anne Nizzi Clark '87. Anne and her husband, Brent, chose St. Francis of Assisi and Dowling Catholic for their three children Blake '18 (Iowa State), Caitlin '20 (University of Iowa), and Colin '23 (Creighton University). Anne will share her experience with the Diocese of Des Moines Catholic schools as a student and as a parent. The Clark family will discuss how Catholic education helped position each for success in the classroom and beyond.

For tickets and more information, visit dmdiocese.org/catholic-schools/support or call 515-237-5079.

The Diocese of Des Moines Catholic schools includes 16 schools in 23 counties in central and southwest Iowa. Catholic schools in the Des Moines Diocese build Christ-centered, collaborative, inclusive partnerships with parents, students, and parishes to provide innovative academic excellence and inspirational faith formation for students.