Veteran Carmel math teacher earns distinguished Life Service Award

Jerry Rejc, a Carmel Catholic High School mathematics faculty member for 34 years, was recently awarded the 2012 Distinguished Life Service Award by the Mathematics Teachers' Association of Chicago and Vicinity.

Rejc received his award at the MTA spring dinner meeting.

“I received a note from the MTA — Math Teachers' Association of Chicago back in September about nominating a lifetime award member for mathematics. Jerry was the obvious choice. His commitment to Carmel and to Catholic education is so evident that I knew he would win the award as soon as I nominated him,” explains Carmel Mathematics Department Chairman John Titterton.

Award criteria includes: at least 20 years of service in Catholic education, served the school community and society with distinction and nominated by a mathematics colleague or principal of a MTA school.

“I am so fortunate to (literally) teach next to him. His door is always open and his room is always full of energy. Students (current and former) are never turned away when they stop in to ask for his advice or help. Whenever his name comes up in my classroom, it is always followed with, ‘Mr. Rejc is the best teacher. He is so nice. He is so patient. He is so good,'” said Jessica Barnett, a mathematics faculty member and former student.

“On a personal level, Jerry is really one of the kindest people I know. I cannot think of another person more deserving of the Lifetime Service Award,” she added.

Principal Lynne Strutzel said Rejc is a model for what all teachers are called to be.

“He responds to his students with love as he challenges them with lessons in math and in how to always respond to life by giving ones personal best,” Strutzel said.