Catholic School educators and administrators think that going out of their way to help people is just another part of their job; they do it without thinking of themselves or counting the cost. Principal Monica Bausom at Seton Catholic Middle School in Menasha, WI, a member of the Twin City Catholic Education System, is certainly no exception. She is committed to living her life according to Mother Teresa’s challenge to “…do small things with great love,” and it shows. She is a witness to how God uses those with open hearts to reach out to his children.
If you start asking around the Catholic school families in Neenah-Menasha, a picture of a true Christian servant begins to take shape. There are numerous accounts of Ms. Bausom’s guidance and assistance that demonstrate her selfless dedication to bettering the education and lives of her students and their families.
A basic tenet of Ms. Bausom’s 18-year tenure as principal at the middle school is an open door policy for all students, their families and her faculty and staff. Ms. Bausom’s commitment to availability leads her to do whatever is needed, from visiting a school family’s home, to attending every school performance and many sporting events, to organizing and inspiring the Seton community to come to the aid of a school family devastated by the concurrent loss of income and a devastating illness.
The parents from that family remember being “scared beyond words,” but reluctant to accept help. Ultimately recognizing that God was truly working through Monica and the school community, the family received financial, moral, spiritual and physical support. The family’s Mom reflects, “Monica wears a bracelet with the quote ‘We can do no great things, only small things with great love.’ Our family is a great testimonial as to how she lives this each day!”
Ms. Bausom has great sensitivity to her students’ family dynamics, is sympathetic to the challenges of parenting middle school students, and is willing to go out of her way to address a troublesome situation. Ms. Bausom’s willingness to become personally invested has changed lives.
Consider, for example, the experience of a sixth grade student who desperately wanted to play basketball for the Seton team. Due to financial challenges and his mother’s unfamiliarity with the English language, he did not have the shoes and medical release forms that he needed to start the season. Ms. Bausom alerted her staff and a local agency to the need for shoes, and within the day there was enough money to purchase the equipment the student needed. She then personally drove the student and his mother to a clinic for a physical exam and saw to it that the bill was paid. The boy played ball, was an asset to the team and grew from the experience of being valued.
Students who struggle socially or academically in school (and their parents) find a strong advocate in Ms. Bausom. She takes a personal interest in these students, educating herself about any unfamiliar situations or diagnoses and keeping abreast of daily challenges and victories. Ms. Bausom is known throughout the community for being firm, but fair, with students and for always giving every child another chance. Shepherding families through the sometimes-difficult middle school years is truly part of her calling.
Ms. Monica Bausom truly exemplifies the qualities that make our Catholic school educators and administrators Christian leaders in our community. By consistently going beyond expectations and treating each student as a beloved creation of God, they personify the apostle Paul’s admonition to “in humility, count others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
In recognition of her ministry to the Seton community and long-term commitment to excellence, Ms. Bausom has been selected by the Diocese of Green Bay as its nominee for the National Catholic Educational Association’s Robert J. Kealy Distinguished Principal Award. Her application is currently being reviewed by NCEA’s regional selection committee in Chicago. The nominee from each regional group will be honored at the NCEA’s annual convention, and one or more principals will move on to the competition for the U.S. Department of Education’s National Distinguished Principal Award.
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