Meet Patricia (DeHahn) Steele! After graduating from Central Catholic in 1963, Patty attended Purdue University earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She later also earned advanced degrees in 1971 and 1975: an MS in Elementary Education and Math, an Administrative Certification, and additional coursework in Administration.
After undergrad, Patty taught first and fourth grade at Edgelea Elementary in Lafayette from 1967-1977 before becoming a principal at West Point Elementary in Tippecanoe County School Corporation for 10 years. In 1987, Patty moved to LaPorte, Indiana and became principal at Kingsbury Elementary School for 19 years in LaPorte Community School Corporation. She followed this with 5 years as Coordinator of Instructional Programs and Assessment/Curriculum Director. Patty retired in 2011.
Patty’s career has been dedicated to educating youth, not only as a teacher and a principal. During her career, Patty served as the Indiana State Textbook Adoption Chairman for 20 years and a lead facilitator for Indiana Principal Leadership Academy for 6 years. Patty was recognized as the Indiana Distinguished Elementary Principal of the Year for her excellence in education in 1992.
Even after retiring, Patty continued to work in her community by acting as a mentor/evaluator for Administrator Assistance for 4 years. She also volunteered at the local Cancer Center and local schools and the Prayer Shawl ministry at church for many years.
How did your education at LCSS prepare you for college and your career?
Basic principles were fostered every step of the way. Those principles allowed me to make my way through college and my career and my life. They helped me enjoy the roses and helped me endure the thorns that we all encounter.
How did LCSS help to shape your faith?
Lessons learned at St. Lawrence Grade School have been carried with me throughout my life. Some of these lessons include learning prayers and how to pray, being kind to one another, listening, making and keeping friends, helping each other, sharing, playing fair, including everyone, forgiving myself and others, expressing gratitude, practicing patience, being a peacemaker, and making God proud of everything you do.
What did you like most about your experience at LCSS?
I appreciated understanding my faith, learning the history of the Church, making friends, and learning about the importance of serving others.
Describe one of your favorite memories of LCSS.
I loved all of the rituals connected with Grades 1—8! These include seeing Baby Jesus arrive at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, First Confession and First Communion, crowning of the May Queen, living Rosary at St. Elizabeth Hospital, eighth-grade graduation, and daily Mass.