At the Heart of Oakcrest: Supporting the Faculty Who Form Our Students

That commitment is one of the reasons faculty support remains a key fundraising priority of the 2026 Heart of Oakcrest Gala. The theme of this year’s event is meant to inspire reflection on what lies at the heart of this school—what keeps its pulse running? What makes it human and full of life? In many ways, the answer is not a question of what, but who: our outstanding faculty. With a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 1:1 student-to-mentor ratio, students encounter faculty in close and meaningful ways every day. These daily, personal interactions form the heartbeat of our school.

Oakcrest draws faculty and staff who are deeply committed to its mission and enlivened by its unique spirit. For English teacher Katie Lastowiecka, the decision to join Oakcrest followed an extensive search for a school aligned with her vision of education. While discerning where to teach, she researched Catholic liberal arts and classical high schools across the country: “There were 193 schools on my spreadsheet, and the data is conclusive: Oakcrest is a one-of-a-kind school, and I am persistently grateful to be a part of this community and its mission.”

What stood out most, she explains, was the school’s clear commitment to forming the whole person and its distinctive mentoring program: “When students know that they are seen, when they know that they have an ally, an advocate, a sound font of advice on school grounds, the culture transforms.”

Similarly, Dr. Sarah Zentner, who joined the English department this year, was drawn to Oakcrest after searching for a school with both “challenging academics” and “vibrant spirituality.” She says, “Oakcrest delivers on both these fronts. But more than anything, I was attracted to Oakcrest's palpable and pervasive spirit of joy: a fruit, undoubtedly, of its rootedness in the Holy Spirit.” It is a joy she has experienced in small but memorable moments with students, like singing karaoke with Upper School students during the school-wide Christmas party. She recalls how this seemingly simple moment “exemplified Oakcrest as a place where girlhood is preserved—not in an immature or childish way, but in a way that helps them embrace their femininity without growing up too fast.”

The spirit of support at Oakcrest, matching the high call for academic excellence with a deep concern for each student’s growth and happiness, is intentionally cultivated through the work of the Teacher Institute, the internal professional development program for all faculty at Oakcrest. The Institute is headed by longtime faculty member Dr. Kat Hussmann. She explains, “We want all of our teachers to continue to grow in their profession, so we have created a program to invest in our teachers’ continuing education.”

The Teacher Institute accompanies teachers throughout their careers at Oakcrest, beginning with training for new teachers and continuing through ongoing professional development opportunities, classroom observations, and collaborative learning. The goal is not simply skill-building, but cultivating a shared philosophy of education: “We train each incoming faculty member through the pillars to have a unified vision of education, and solid examples and mentors for new teachers.”

This year, the Teacher Institute is developing new programming and a dedicated platform to ensure the long-term foundation and continuation of faculty formation. Through an online resource hub and expanded in-house opportunities, such as a new series on Christian anthropology this year, Dr. Hussmann hopes to build the infrastructure that will make the Teacher Institute an even stronger and more lasting resource for faculty. In the long term, she hopes these efforts will have an impact beyond Oakcrest as well, “elevating teaching to the professional dignity that it deserves.”

The support offered through the Teacher Institute is deeply felt by new faculty members. Dr. Zentner remembers her early experience with gratitude: “I felt so supported right away! No question was insignificant, and every veteran faculty member made sure we felt comfortable asking for help with anything.”

As head of the Teacher Institute, Dr. Hussmann hopes to continue strengthening that culture of support. “My hope as the head of the Teacher Institute is to support teachers in developing on their individual journeys, but also institutionally, by consistently hearing and acting on feedback from teachers. Everyone wants their voice to be heard and valued.” But, as a faculty member herself, she also benefits from that culture: “As a faculty member, I appreciate the freedom and trust in expertise and deeply value the relationships I have developed with my peers. The support for continued professional development is immense, and there is a great sense here that teachers have a real responsibility and impact on the lives of their students, which they deeply value.”

Through programs like the Teacher Institute and a culture that values mentorship, collaboration, and professional development, Oakcrest seeks to support its faculty not just in carrying out the tasks of a job, but in living out a vocation: the vocation of educators.