Mr. Richard Sliwinski

I was born soon after the Second World War ended in New York City in the borough of Queens, in the area called Elmhurst, near the gas tanks, in a Polish, Catholic, Democratic ghetto. I grew up in the house that my mother was born in, which was built by her father. She was the youngest of 13. My father grew up down the street, and he was the second oldest of 4. I was never far from family.

First Grade began in January, 1952. (Yes, January!) Like everyone else in the neighborhood I attended St. Adalbert's School (one block away). There were only 72 of us in class with Sister Ladislaus (who had us call her Sister Applesauce). My 8 years in elementary school were wonderful. The teachers were great and taught me so much about life and love. It was fun. Life pretty much centered around the parish and school. I spent most of my play time out on the street, in the empty lots, or on someone's stoop.

My High School years began in Brooklyn at Xaverian High School. It was there that I met the Xaverian Brothers. I went to Ryken High School in Leonardtown, MD for my 10, 11, 12 grades. After that I joined the Xaverian Brothers.

The Brothers taught me more about life and love and teaching. After finishing my BA degree in Modern European History from Catholic University in 1969, I was sent to teach at Leonard Hall School back in Leonardtown. There I taught and lived with 5th Grade boys for three busy and happy years. After that I was off to Richmond, Virginia to teach 5th Grade for 5 years at St. Mary's and then 7th and 8th Grade for 4 years at St. Elizabeth's. For a few summers during this time I attended Syracuse University and received an MA in Elementary Education.

Toward the end of this time the Brothers asked me if I wanted to take some time to study. I took advantage of this and spent a year in the 'Institute of Spirituality and Worship' at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA. Once again my teachers and mentors showed me more about living and loving. I stayed in Berkeley/Oakland for 2 more years teaching. At the end of this time in CA I received a Master's Degree in Theological Studies.

Then it went back to Richmond, VA to work at a Retreat House for two years. I missed the classroom terribly, so I went back to Oakland, CA and taught for 3 years; first at St. Paul's and then Sacred Heart where I moved in to First Grade.
I arrived in Baltimore in 1989, and taught Kindergarten at St. Ambrose School for a year before coming to OLPH to teach First Grade in 1990.

During the '90's I left the Brothers, but they are still a very big part of my life.

So, this is my 22nd year teaching First Grade here at OLPH. My hope, like I tell the First Graders, is to keep working, learning, growing.

I now live in East Baltimore right by Patterson Park. Two dogs, Sadie (a 7 year old Beagle) and Rusty (a 3 year old Jack Russell), keep me moving. I am a member of Corpus Christi Church in Bolton Hill.

This has been my journey up till now. It is only a part of me. I hope as time goes on you will get to know who I am a bit more. The journey continues.

Teaching has been a gift to me. I enjoy it, and I hope to be a part of this profession for as long as I can do it well.