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IWA Loves its Teachers

By Denise Walsh, Incarnate Word Academy, School Buzz Reporter | March 8, 2022

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Samuel James Calabrese was born on 2/22/22. He was welcomed with love by his family and the IWA community.

One thing that makes Incarnate Word Academy unique is its strong sense of community, often noted as extremely welcoming and loving. Because of the school’s small size, the relationship between student and teacher is unlike anything I’ve seen before.

“I think the relationship between students and teachers is one rooted in respect, but with a lot of room for heart,” said Mrs. Sarah Gibbons, who teaches junior-year English.

For example, a couple of students at the beginning of the school year had a hunch that the sophomore theology teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Calabrese, was pregnant, and once the celebratory news was revealed, sophomores on the school’s Student Council immediately started planning a baby shower. We were able to bring half of the Class of 2024 together to celebrate our teacher and support her through this exciting moment in her life.

We threw the surprise shower on February 1, 2022, held in the IWA conference center. We decorated with colorful balloons and Pom Pom banners and had cake pops graciously made by Lauren Gentry, class of 2024. Gifts and congratulations were exchanged and the shower was filled with laughter and was ultimately a success.

“I always consider it a great privilege to see my students inside and outside of the classroom,” said Mrs.Jennifer Calabrese, IWA theology and philosophy teacher. “I love seeing how rambunctious, joyous and hilarious my students are! [The baby shower] will be one of the most cherished memories in my teaching career.”

We wish Mrs. Calabrese and her family luck with the new baby and can’t wait to see more pictures in the near future!