Mrs. Maureen Garvis and Mr. Robert Horan Named Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to Science Teacher Mrs. Maureen Garvis and Educational Technology & Robotics Teacher Mr. Robert Horan, who were selected by their peers as Gonzaga’s Veteran Teacher of the Year and Novice Teacher of the Year, respectively. The awards recognize teachers from each Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Washington who "embrace teaching as a ministry, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and demonstrate respect for the Catholic identity and the charism of his/her school."

 

They were recognized on Friday, October 23 at an awards ceremony at Bishop McNamara High School, after a Mass at Mount Cavalry Church in Forestville, Maryland. Below are the citations recognizing Mrs. Garvis and Mr. Horan for their accomplishments and commitment to Catholic education. Congratulations to these wonderful teachers!

 

Since joining the Gonzaga faculty in 2012, Mrs. Maureen Garvis has distinguished herself through an extraordinary commitment to her students, her craft, and her colleagues. Now in her 14th year at Gonzaga, she brings deep experience and remarkable energy to the teaching of chemistry, meeting a challenging subject with careful preparation, clear expectations, and an unwavering belief in the God-given potential of every student.

 

Maureen is a teacher who never stops improving. Even after decades in the classroom, she continuously revises lessons, refines her approach, and seeks new ways to help students learn. She holds students to high standards while remaining fair, supportive, and committed to their growth, modeling both academic excellence and care for the whole person. Her faith is evident in the way she approaches teaching as a vocation. She treats students and colleagues with dignity and respect, encourages young people to develop their gifts fully, and models perseverance, integrity, service, and care for others. In this way, her work reflects both the Gospel call and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission.

 

Maureen’s professionalism and generosity have also strengthened the Science Department. She freely shares her materials, experience, and expertise, especially with younger teachers, helping foster a culture of collaboration and excellence. Maureen embodies the dedication, faith, professionalism, and care that define exceptional Catholic education. Through her high expectations, tireless work, and generosity toward others, she has made a lasting contribution to Gonzaga’s students and community.

 

A member of the Gonzaga Class of 2012, Rob Horan first returned to Eye Street through the Alumni Service Corps in 2016 before rejoining the school in 2023. In a relatively short time on the faculty, he has become an indispensable presence in the life of the school. His colleagues describe him as the embodiment of a “Man for Others,” a humble expert in technology whose patience, kindness and willingness to help are evident every day.

 

Rob serves students and faculty with remarkable generosity, often working behind the scenes without seeking recognition. He has helped make the Innovation Commons a vibrant and welcoming community space, supported the robotics team, guided students as they learn to navigate Gonzaga’s technology systems, and for several years has served as Gonzaga’s varsity fencing coach, forming students through discipline, perseverance, and teamwork.

 

His calm presence and readiness to assist have made him a trusted resource for both students and colleagues. What distinguishes Rob most is the spirit in which he serves. He brings technical expertise without ego, leadership without fanfare, and a consistent willingness to say “yes” when the community needs him. His journey from Gonzaga student, to Alumni Service Corps member, to coach and faculty colleague reflects a deep and enduring commitment to the school’s mission. Rob’s quiet leadership, selflessness, and care for others reflect the best of Gonzaga’s Jesuit tradition and make him especially deserving of this recognition.