Spring 2007, Volume 50, Number 1

Lover of Reading: Sister Joan Lickteig
by Jane Buse

Soft-spoken, humble, considerate, compassionate, kind and gentle. These are some of the words Sister Joan Lickteig’s colleagues use to describe her.
“ Sister Joan is a godsend each and every day to both me and my students. She always greets everyone with a smile,” expresses Nancy Sabers a colleague at Resurrection School in Dubuque, IA.

For the past nine years, Sister Joan has served as the literacy coordinator at Resurrection. Previously, she was a professor in the Education Department at Clarke College in Dubuque. “Having been a classroom teacher, an elementary principal, a diocesan education consultant and a college professor, I wanted to get back to the ‘real thing,’ working with children. I told my college students that I wanted to see if I could practice what I preached. They thought that sounded fun, and it is.”

Sister works on reading instruction with small groups of children in grades K-3 and occasionally with individuals. She also provides professional development for teachers in reading/language arts. Barb Klein, who is a teacher at Resurrection, has deepened her desire to read. “Sister Joan brings a positive attitude and zest for reading. Her love for reading is contagious. She has made me a better teacher, but more than that, a better person,” said Barb.

“ Sister Joan was instrumental in forming my love of reading,” adds Phyllis Czarnecki, who not only teaches with Sister Joan but was taught by her at Clarke College. “Her passion for reading and attention to detail has always challenged me to do more and to try harder. Her expertise on the reading process is inspiring and she brings her knowledge to all areas and groups. She is always available to help, direct and listen.”

Principal Dave Gross says Sister Joan is an excellent role model for students, staff and parents. “Sister offers a wealth of knowledge and support in reading. She is my right hand with students who have special needs. While Sister Joan communicates to students, staff, and parents the importance of ‘instructional time’ for the reading success of students, she also contributes experience and ideas to the continuing development of the school as a learning community and builds exceptional and professional relationships with students, colleagues, and families. Sister Joan goes the extra mile.”

Sister Joan’s presence at Resurrection is a blessing. Expressions of gratitude for and appreciation of her dedication and commitment to reading are evident in the words of her co-workers.

“ Sister Joan has made an impact on our school in many ways: a leader in academic innovation, teaching, and spiritual gifts. She has raised the bar in our building with her expertise in reading. Teachers are stretched in the knowledge of teaching reading with her guidance. Students who struggle with reading gain confidence and skill with her gentle direction, giving them the chance to open the many doors of opportunity reading affords,” said James Nuti, fellow faculty member who has worked with Sister Joan for nine years. “One of the proudest moments we have been able to witness with Sister Joan was when she received the KWWL Gold Star Teacher Award. It was a joy to share in this well-earned public recognition of her dedication to education.”

Not only is the admiration for Sister Joan evident in the faculty and staff at Resurrection but also in her students. Andrew, a past student of Sister Joan’s, had been preparing to be a lector for a school liturgy. As his mother was driving him to school one day, he stated with such conviction, “If it weren’t for Sister Joan helping me with my reading I would never have been able to be a lector at a school Mass.”

“ I love to read and it’s a gift I like to share with my students. Reading so enriches my life, I’d like my students to enjoy the treasures available to them by bonding with books.” Sister Joan adds, “Learning to read and loving to read changes people. For me having the opportunity to assist a child in learning to read ranks as awesome because it provides an avenue for learning, earning a living, recreation—transformation! Reading offers truths and values, entertainment and enrichment, insights, information and inspiration. Its absence seems a deprivation.”

Students, faculty and staff have profoundly impacted Sister Joan as well. “They are my lifeline! As much as I’ve enjoyed my other educational ministries, being literacy coordinator has been the most life-giving for me. There’s nothing quite so wonderful as spending each day interacting with children and learning,” said Sister Joan. “Here at Resurrection I’ve had the best of all worlds as I’ve worked with beautiful children, excellent principals, outstanding teachers and dedicated parents. Where else could one find such an inspiring clientele?” she smiles.