24
Apr 2023
by Lizzy Howard ’24
Guide is the term Trinity’s own Jo Reider uses to describe her teaching philosophy. This word perfectly describes the commitment with which Mrs. Reider shepherds her students to find their own strengths and abilities. She is not just an educator, but also a source of motivation, inspiration, and mentorship. This year Mrs. Reider is one of the seven outstanding educators honored with the 2023 Golden Apple Award from the Diocese of Harrisburg. The Golden Apple Award “symbolizes a teacher’s professional excellence, leadership, commitment to Catholic values, and devotion to teaching in Catholic Schools” and Jo Reider truly embodies each of these attributes.
Mrs. Reider grew up in England and graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University; she also took postgraduate courses at the University of Wales. She brought her British culture to life in the classroom by providing “Tea Times” for her students, a tradition that delights her classes. Her love and respect for all cultures makes her the ideal moderator for the school’s culture club. When asked what she wanted people to know about her, Mrs. Reider said, “I have always been adventurous with a thirst for travel and new experiences.” This sense of adventure led her to take a gap year after high school to work at a boarding school in Kenya, where she realized her passion for education. Until this point, she had always thought she would go into the medical field, but she quickly realized that she enjoyed instructing teenagers. Being an educator offered her the ability to combine her love for science, particularly biology, and her passion for helping students learn.
Mrs. Reider credits her core values to her family. She says, “I was lucky to be raised in a home that valued family and faith.” Her time at Trinity has made it possible for her to continue to learn about her Catholic faith and to put it into action on a daily basis. Her Catholic values provide the foundation for how she approaches her life both in and out of the classroom.
Congratulations to Mrs. Reider on this career milestone–it is well deserved. She plays a key role in advancing our school’s mission and success story. American Writer William A. Ward said, “A mediocre teacher tells. A good teacher explains. A superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” We are thankful that Jo Reider chooses to inspire the imaginations and shape the minds of our Trinity students.