The Committee of the Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis Award for Excellence in Teaching has announced the three Finalists for this year’s Award. The Finalists are:

• Mrs. Mary Barber, 5th Grade, St. Egbert School, Morehead City
• Mr. Alan Johnston, 6-8th Grade Science, Our Lady of Lourdes School, Raleigh
• Mr. John (“Jack”) Viorel, 1st Grade, St. Mary School, Wilmington

Mrs. Mary Barber, 5th Grade teacher at St. Egbert School in Morehead City, has been in teaching 11 years, 6 of them in her current position at St. Egbert. She holds a Master of Education in Science Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, serves as Co-Leader of the Girl Scouts of Coastal Carolina, and, along with her daughter, Megan, is a member of the Outer Banks Chapter of the National Charity League. Mrs. Barber also volunteers with the First Presbyterian Youth Group, where she is involved with their Community Fall Festival and Art of the Season. Other activities include serving as a Lector at St. Egbert Parish, as the Director of the St. Egbert School Christmas Pageant, and as Coordinator of the school Science Fair. She resides in Morehead City.

Mr. Alan Johnston, 6-8th Grade Science teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Raleigh, is in his eighth year of teaching at Lourdes. He holds a Master of Secondary Education from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, and serves in a number of positions at Lourdes and in the community. Mr. Johnston is the director of the Science Olympiad, additionally coaching some events, and of the 8th Grade Passion Play; runs the K-8 School Science Fair; is chair for Lourdes accreditation report; is involved in the 8th Grade graduation exercises; and plays the flute for the school Mass. Additionally, he hosts astronomy nights for all grade levels, and operates a summer camp for students, Grades 4-8, who are interested in science. Mr. Johnston resides in Raleigh.

Mr. Jack Viorel, 1st Grade teacher at St. Mary School in Wilmington, came to North Carolina from San Mateo, California, where he was a Master Teacher in an elementary school there. He has been teaching 1st Grade at St. Mary for four years. Mr. Viorel uses his passion for surfing and promoting environmental care of the oceans in a wide variety of community activities. Through his surf school business, he offers opportunities to individuals with disabilities such as HIV/AIDS, blindness, diabetes, wounded veterans, and autistic children, among others, to experience the enjoyment of participating in activities not readily open to them. Some of his other civic pursuits include his involvement with the Boys and Girls Clubs, JDRF, Wounded Warriors, and the East Coast Wahue Surf Championship. Mr. Viorel resides in Wilmington.