Three educators who live in Irving now have something else in common. They've just garnered Work of Heart Awards from the Catholic Foundation.

Sandra Theiss inspired students for 13 years as a vocational teacher at Notre Dame of Dallas School.

Robert J. Haaser started as a coach at Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving 39 years ago.

Both received the foundation's Grand Award of $5,000.

Not far from Cistercian, Mary Lou Parchman has been teaching science for 16 years at Holy Family Catholic School. The foundation presented her with a $500 award.

The three are connected by more than their longtime commitment to students. Mr. Haaser and Mrs. Theiss have children who attended Holy Family. Their fellow recipient taught some of them.

Another trait the three educators share is complete surprise at the recognition.

"It was so unexpected but a very nice honor," said Mrs. Theiss, who received the award at her going-away party. The mother of four grown boys just moved to Belgium. Her husband's job will keep them there for about three years.

Parents at Notre Dame nominated her for the award. They described the vocational teacher as "doing incredible work from her heart" and also wrote that "every day she works with our children is a blessing."

Mr. Haaser didn't hear the praise directed at him at his school's end-of-the-year awards program.

"I was talking to my sixth-graders about their Latin Awards," he said. But he soon realized he was the center of attention.

"When he heard his name, the look on his face said it all," said wife Kay Haaser. "He was in such a daze."

Parents also recommended him for the honor, noting "his influence quakes through his students years – even decades – after they have graduated."

Although grateful, Mr. Haaser said his fellow teachers also deserve recognition.

"I'm just blessed to be here, with such dedicated faculty," he said.

Mrs. Parchman feels the same way.

"I didn't deserve it anymore than anyone else who works at Holy Family," she said. But one of her students, Alex Kohs, felt differently. He nominated her.

"His mother said he really put a lot into his recommendation," she added, touched by her student's admiration.

Mrs. Parchman received the award from her principal, but it is Edwin Schaffler, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Foundation, who usually presents the larger Grand Awards. The foundation gave out 23 end-of-year awards this year, including three Grand Awards.

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