IN RECOGNITION OF JOAN DOWD ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER 42 YEARS OF SERVICE TO CATHOLIC EDUCATION; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 135
(Extensions of Remarks - July 30, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF JOAN DOWD ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER 42 YEARS OF SERVICE
TO CATHOLIC EDUCATION
______
HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joan Dowd
who is retiring from teaching after 42 years of service to Catholic
education. Joan was honored with a surprise parade at Holy Rosary
School on June 6, 2020.
The daughter of Joseph and Ann Baker, Joan was born on August 22,
1952 in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Committed to her faith from a young
age, she grew up attending St. Mary's Assumption Church along with her
two sisters, Barbara and Joyce, and she was the third generation in her
family to attend St. Mary's Assumption elementary school. Joan went on
to study at St. John's High School and at Marywood University.
After graduating from college in 1976 with a degree in health and
physical education and a certificate in elementary and special
education, Joan was hired as the assistant girls' basketball coach at
St. John the Evangelist School. She then went on to coach the girls'
basketball team at St. Mary's Assumption, leading her team to a league
championship.
Joan began her teaching career as a substitute at St. Anthony's
School in Dunmore. In 1978, she returned to her alma mater, St. Mary's
Assumption, where she taught second grade for the next 33 years. In
addition to teaching her students the traditional school subjects, she
helped them grow in their faith and guide them through receiving the
sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joan devoted her time to
the school community by volunteering for committees and extra-
curricular activities, including the school's forensics team.
When St. Mary's Assumption closed its doors in 2011, Joan was
undeterred and remained committed to Catholic education. She accepted a
new post as the second-grade teacher at Holy Rosary School in Duryea,
Pennsylvania. During her tenure as an educator, she taught generations
of students and fostered lifelong relationships with her students,
their parents, and her colleagues.
Joan lives in Pittston with her husband, Michael and dog, Charley.
They have two sons, Kevin and Brian and one grandchild, Rory.
It is an honor to congratulate Joan on her retirement after 42 years
of teaching in the Diocese of Scranton's Catholic school system. As an
educator, her commitment to her students and school community was
unmatched, and under her tutelage, her students received a first-rate
education while learning many important life lessons. I wish her a
restful and enjoyable retirement.
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