Graduation day for the teacher

Published 6:00 am Friday, May 25, 2018

“You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.”Exodus 18:19-20 New International Version.

The school year has ended across the nation and not only the seniors are graduating. 

This month marks the end of school for Albert Maureen Kraus, 73, better known as Sister Barbara by students, friends and colleagues at Progressive Education Program Inc. (PEPI). Before the month ends, they will say goodbye like she said to the last class to graduate with the Hi-Set/GED program under her leadership.

Since 2007, Sister Barbara has been the director of PEPI. Prior to stepping into that position, in 2002 she came to New Iberia as the computer lab instructor. She has been an educator/ administrator for 54 years as part of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

“Our resumes look really funny, like we can’t keep a job because we’ve gone from one place to another,” Sister Barbara said. “You’d get what we call ‘bluebird’ — after two or three years, they wanted you to move on to get wide experience. This is the longest I’ve stayed anyplace, 16 years.”

In part, it was Sister Barbara’s choice to stay. In the early years, assignments were mandated and applications for new positions were applied for like any job. Now the sisters are part of the decision process beginning with an earnest evaluation as to their skill sets and how they might best be utilized.

Sister Barbara always knew she wanted to be a teacher. 

Born and raised near New Orleans in Chalmette, her family lived down the street from Our Lady of Prompt Succor Elementary School where several School Sisters of Notre Dame were teachers. With four siblings, three girls and two boys, her mother called the lot her “full house” — three queens and two kings. The love Sister Barbara had for her teachers was so evident, her mother often teased her, “You ought to pack your bags and go.” She eventually did.

“I knew I wanted to teach from the beginning. There were three things I wanted as a child … a piano, which I could not play, a convertible, I just liked the way they looked, and I wanted to teach,” said Sister Barbara.

She considered herself strict, though she is loved by both peers, volunteers and students. One student’s mother had eight children, the last was a Downs Syndrome child who ruled the roost except with Sister Barbara. The mother asked why the boy behaved well in school. Sister Barbara had an answer.

“I don’t have that love connection, I’m not trying to be his friend. I’m trying to get something done,” Sister Barbara said as she explained the matter-of-fact manner of speaking to unruly children, special needs or not.

Those who have worked closest with Sister Barbara know her love for each student is real.

“In her religious context, she was such an inspiration and her dedication to the students and the program went more than half way to meet the students, even if they were not that easy to work with,” said Adelle Wormser who started at PEPI shortly after Sister Barbara became the director. “She showed a lot of care through the program. The School Sisters of Notre Dame were paramount emotionally, spiritually and financially to the program and helped a lot to keep the program going. When budgets were cut, they were really dedicated. There was always a spiritual component through her calling as a Sister. Her mission was to teach and she took it a step further as director. Her commitment spiritually was the glue that held the facility together.”

When Sister Barbara’s health spurred her onto retirement, a new director was not found among the School Sisters, nor another similar spiritual program.

“That’s one of the reasons we’re aren’t continuing now, we couldn’t find a director,” said Sister Barbara. “SLCC will take care of adult education, differently as we did surely. We have the religious that is so important, we feel, but basically it’s choosing good over good. We’ve left a legacy in New Iberia. People know PEPI.”

“Most students had no idea or perception of religion, she took it so lightly, never forcing it on them but was an example to students,” Wormser said.

“She’s very unique, different. I can’t put into words the things she and I went through. She showed me some things and I showed her some. Out of the dozen years she and I were together were the most exciting thing I ever did,” said Edith Antoine Orphry, administrative assistant at PEPI.

“What I love about her, she has such a heart for the students, she likes to say PEPI gives second chances. We all say it gives third, fourth and fifth because that’s what stands out in my mind,” said Sister Mary Ellen Theriot, a PEPI instructor and member of the teaching order.

Sister Barbara will retire to the Saint Mary of the Pines Retirement and Retreat Center in Chatawa, Mississippi. She is already thinking of the ways to serve in the community of sisters living there.

“I’ve always been happy. I’ve been through difficult places, (but) the ministry is always a gift. I love teaching,” said Sister Barbara. “I’ll not retire from anything. I’ll not be teaching, but I’ll be doing something. I’ve been fortunate, the staff here has been wonderful.”

“She has provided an education for many people who would not have ordinarily gotten it. She’s provided a great service to the community. I know people are very appreciative of what she has done,” said the Rev. Charles Langlois, retired.

Langlois may have said the final word for the people of the Teche Area that benefited from Sister Barbara’s time here. “Have a happy retirement, Sister,” he said.