Above: 2025-2026 Lewis Award finalists, from left, Andrew Pietrus, Jennifer Sullivan and Taylor Blanton.
The Lewis Award Committee announced three finalists this month for its annual excellence in teaching award. The finalists, who were selected from nominations, are Taylor Blanton, Andrew Pietrus and Jennifer Sullivan. Per the Lewis Award guidelines, each is a full-time teacher in a diocesan school and teaches students between kindergarten and 12th.
The committee shared the following about the 2025-2026 Lewis Award finalists:
Taylor Blanton teaches social studies to 12th and 11th graders at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh. Blanton embraces a unique brand of daily instructional differentiation and has shared his gift for teaching with the Gibbons community or more than 15 years. “From traditional pencil and paper notes to digital video lessons, students have access to material in the way that works best for them,” Blanton said. “That small flexibility is appreciated by students and gives them the tools they need to be successful.”
Andrew Pietrus teaches language arts and theology to 6th graders at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Raleigh. Throughout two decades at the school, Pietrus is reminded of how digital teaching and learning resources are optimized when blended with fundamental, traditional skills masteries, including reading, writing, speaking and listening. “I would hope my classroom now has a good balance between technology and human interaction,” Pietrus said.
Jennifer Sullivan teaches language arts and social studies to 4th graders at Chapel Hill’s St. Thomas More School, where she’s taught for 25 years. Sullivan believes in the vitality of a data-driven “Gradual Release of Responsibility” from teacher to learners. “Involving students in monitoring their own progress has increased engagement, deepened their understanding of learning, and strengthened a classroom culture of perseverance and ownership, positively impacting both instruction and student achievement,” Sullivan said.
The recipient of the 2025-2026 Lewis Award for excellence in teaching will be announced in March. The Lewis Award was named for Monsignor Gerald Lewis to honor educators in Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Raleigh. It was initiated in 1992, and its endowment was established in 2008.