Honoring Excellence Across All Diocese of Raleigh Schools
The Lewis Award honors excellence in Catholic education by recognizing outstanding Catholic school teachers who inspire faith, foster academic achievement, and build community. Each year, the award celebrates educators whose dedication and service reflect the mission of Catholic schools and the values of faith, knowledge, and character.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Mr. Taylor Blanton, Cardinal Gibbons High School
2025-26 Recipient – Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching
Taylor Blanton is the 2025-26 school year’s recipient of the Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching. Blanton, in his 16th year at Cardinal Gibbons, teaches Advanced Placement United States History and Economics, and extends his content area contributions beyond traditional classrooms. Blanton has led students on the school’s Western Europe trip during mid-winter break. Among colleagues, he has offered professional development for enhancing financial literacy. Blanton has coached in the Crusaders’ cross country, swimming & diving, and track & field programs. An April 15 all-school Mass will include the Lewis Award’s presentation to Blanton.
2025-26 Award Finalists
Taylor Blanton
Taylor Blanton teaches 12th and 11th graders in Social Studies at Cardinal Gibbons High School (Raleigh). Blanton, a 15+ years veteran of Cardinal Gibbons’ classrooms, embraces a unique brand of daily instructional differentiation. “From traditional pencil and paper notes to digital video lessons, students have access to material in the way that works best for them,” Blanton said. “That small flexibility is appreciated by students and gives them the tools they need to be successful.”
Andrew Pietrus
Andrew Pietrus teaches sixth graders in English Language Arts and Theology at Our Lady of Lourdes School (Raleigh). Pietrus, throughout two decades at Our Lady of Lourdes, is reminded, time and again, of how digital teaching and learning resources are optimized when blended with fundamental, traditional skills masteries, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. “I would hope my classroom now has a good balance between technology and human interaction,” Pietrus said.
Jennifer Sullivan
Jennifer Sullivan teaches fourth graders in English Language Arts and Social Studies at Saint Thomas More School (Chapel Hill). Sullivan, a continuous Saint Thomas more fixture from the Holy Year 2000 through the Holy Year 2025, believes in the vitality of a data-driven “Gradual Release of Responsibility’ from teacher to learners. “Involving students in monitoring their own progress has increased engagement, deepened their understanding of learning, and strengthened a classroom culture of perseverance and ownership, positively impacting both instruction and student achievement,” Sullivan said.
Lewis Award Dinner
May 3, 2025, we celebrated the Finalists and Recipient of the 2024-2025 Lewis Award at North Ridge Country Club…
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Honoring Excellence Across
All Diocese of Raleigh Schools
