Page 51 - Priorities #70
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                                 Last Volunteer Standing, Mary Rose Theis
Giving Back Through Teacher Appreciation
 By Liz Kendall
For Mary Rose Theis, the motivation to volunteer at Priory is simple: “I just like to give back.” With her third and youngest child graduating as a member of Priory’s Class of 2018, Theis looks back on her years of volunteering with purpose, “It’s a joy to be able to contribute to Priory,” she said.
One of Theis’ favorite volunteer projects was beginning the teacher appreciation breakfasts. “The teachers at Priory are great, I really wanted to thank them,” she remembered. Describing the breakfasts as a way for teachers to connect with one another in a relaxed and casual space, Theis remembers the breakfasts being a great way for parents to demonstrate their appreciation for Priory’s teachers. The simple appreciation breakfasts transitioned into what today’s employees know as the grand annual faculty and staff appreciation lunch. The beloved gift card raffle tradition began by Theis at the breakfasts continue into today’s lunch. Other volunteer roles she cherished were coordinating auctions and being a room parent when her three boys were in 9th grade. She remembers her goal was to make Priory’s newest 9th grade students feel welcome.
She described most of her volunteer roles lasting a few years before another volunteer parent transitioned into the role. She recommended this transition as new voices and leaders enter a project. “New people will bring new ideas; they’ll bring value in a new way.” Another reason for her transition to different roles related to when she would occasionally hear from her boys about how often she was at their school. She’d seek out under-the-radar roles for herself after these conversations, including painting set pieces for the theater productions. “You feel a bit of pride after working so hard on a set piece, and seeing it being used in the play,” she shared.
Theis says volunteering was simply a way to stay involved with other adults and give back to Priory in whatever way she could add value. “You learn new things, you give back, you create things.” She cited her favorite volunteer work as anything related to teacher appreciation.
At the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, outgoing PPA president Kathy Fitzgerald shared, “Mary Rose has one of those minds that can take a project, organize every little detail, ensure it runs smoothly, and make it better, we have the binders to prove it! Mary Rose has touched and impacted every corner of Priory from performing arts to theater, athletics, to development–through the auction and annual campaign, to faculty and staff appreciation breakfasts and lunches, she is omnipresent.”
“Adding Value and Giving Back”
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VOLUNTEERISM
























































































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