The National Catholic Educational Association has announced that Sister Mary Ethel Parrott, SND, Notre Dame Academy Science Department Chair and longtime faculty member, has been selected to receive the NCEA Educational Excellence Award. Sister Mary Ethel is one of six educators in the nation to be honored with this award in 2012-13.
According to the National Catholic Educational Association, the NCEA Educational Excellence Award “honors Catholic secondary school educators who deserve national recognition, reflecting the richness and diversity of American Catholic education. Honorees are individuals who have made significant contributions in a variety of roles.”
Sister Mary Ethel Parrott joined the faculty at Notre Dame Academy in 1972. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physics at Thomas More College, and completed a Master of Science in Physics at the University of Kentucky. Sisters Mary Ethel and Judith began an extracurricular Science Research Program at Notre Dame Academy in 1974, and developed it as a formal course for credit in 2007. The course focuses on conducting an original and independent research project in mathematics, natural science, engineering or behavioral science. Students present their work and compete at various science expositions at the regional, state, national and international levels.
Dr. Laura Koehl, principal of Notre Dame Academy, recognized Sister Mary Ethel’s valuable contributions, saying, “Sister Mary Ethel has played a crucial role in the success of our students at NDA for many years. Her leadership and dedication incite a love of learning for her students and fellow faculty members. She is far more than an educator and a physicist. Sr. Mary Ethel is a mentor and a shining example of a woman making a difference in our world. She has inspired countless NDA alumnae who now work as research scientists, physicians, engineers, and educators around the globe.”
Sister Mary Ethel will be recognized at the NCEA Convention on April 3 in Houston, Texas.