Miss Kelle Webb, Cathedral Catholic High School Latin and mythology teacher, recently received the University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award after a student nomination.

“Once I saw the letterhead, I knew what student was responsible for the honor, and then just couldn’t help but smile like a big dork,” Miss Webb said.

The University of Chicago grants the Outstanding Educator Award to teachers who go beyond teaching to leave a long-lasting impression on their students, both inside and outside of the classroom.

“This makes awards like this even more meaningful because years of teaching, mentoring, and making jokes together aren’t forgotten,” Miss Webb said. “The students have the ability to impact our lives in equal if not greater measures.”

Miss Webb found her passion of teaching on accident, after she was required to teach Latin undergraduate courses as a graduate student.

“It wasn’t until the realization of potentially carrying on to a Ph.D. program and the unlikelihood of getting to teach for the next six years that my decision to transition from student to high school teacher became easy,” Miss Webb said. “I’m not only privileged to get to teach an amazing subject that most schools don’t even deem valuable enough to offer, but I’ve also been spoiled with the caliber of students at this school.”