Pair receive Holy Spirit School Division’s Share the Mission Award

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on September 3, 2022.

Submitted photo Billy Woitte and Josh Gatner are recipients of the Share the Mission Award.

The Board of Trustees for the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division recently honoured two recipients of its Share the Mission Award, Billy Woitte and Josh Gatner.

Awarded on Aug. 25, the recipients were chosen for their outstanding service, demonstrating the ability to set new standards for those who follow, and working with the community and parish organizations. The work they do reflects the mission statement of the Holy Spirit division in all its actions and embodies the spirit of the award.

Woitte has served as the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit support worker for St. Francis Junior High School here in Lethbridge since 2006. Woitte was nominated for the genuine love she has for all those working with her, going above and beyond to create a meaningful relationship with all students and staff. In her work she makes an effort to engage in both the Catholic and Blackfoot spiritual practices, demonstrating the connection to God in many ways.

“I try to give my kids and families what I didn’t have back when I was in school. A warm smile and hug to greet the day, someone that understands cultural adversity, and someone that will help you navigate educationally, spiritually, mentally, and physically through school,” said Woitte. “That’s what I give to my kids and my families each day, the love and compassion that understands someone is there to listen and help navigate.”

Gatner has recently taken on the position of associate principal at St. Catherine School in Picture Butte, working as a teacher there since 2006. Gatner was nominated for his hard work and building trusting relationships with staff, families, and students. Humble in his work ethic, Gatner says he appreciates the recognition and how it reinforces his work.

“It’s not very often you get a chance to receive this. To be able to have people stand up in front of you and say all these lovely, wonderful things, it makes you feel like you’re 10-feet tall. It motivates you to keep going and doing again, and again. It’s beautiful,” said Gatner. “It’s really important to stay in the moment and not get distracted by all the things you have to do in teaching […] Sometimes all it takes is that moment to look at them and say, how do you feel? How can I help you? How can I reach out to you? You need to validate their presence. Sometimes that goes a long way.”

Gatner also thanked all the people he works with, who help him day-in and day-out, adding their help makes what he does possible.

“The community that’s fostered around us is what makes everything work,” said Gatner.

Both recipients say the work they do is very fulfilling and it is never for an award or recognition. It is about the children and families they work with.

“I’m just very humbled and thankful for the community, the division, and the Board of Trustees. That they are really embracing reconciliation and see a need for positions like mine,” said Woitte.

“If you can make a difference, you can bulldoze barriers that kids have in their way,” adds Gatner.