On any given day in Room 212, Mrs. Maria Vazquez can be found teaching her AP Literature students how to analyze a character on the page. That lesson often evolves into a discussion about real-world character and the role authenticity and integrity play in shaping who her students become beyond the classroom. Quite fittingly, it is that same authenticity she models each day that led our school community to rise in recognition when Sister Carmen named her the 2025-2026 Distinguished Catholic Educator during this year’s Catholic Schools Week Mass.
A celebration of our Catholic identity and the unique opportunities Lourdes provides every student, the Mass served as a meaningful place to honor her with this esteemed award. A former student, Class of 1990, Mrs. Vazquez strengthened her faith as she once walked these same halls and her upbringing at home reinforced all the valuable lessons learned. When asked who she models in these lessons to her own students:
“I would say my parents because they are both the most selfless, giving people I know. They are the most faith-filled people and have taught me to use that in everything that I do,” Mrs. Vazquez said.
Her work each day is done not only with a smile, but with a genuine passion for the material she teaches and the books her class is reading, never letting a real-world lesson pass her by. That love for what she does extends beyond the classroom. She helps rising seniors craft their college essays during the summer and is known for writing some of the most thoughtful and personal recommendation letters.
Because of this attention to detail, students feel seen, heard, and valued in her classroom that is filled with like-minded girls. That sense of belonging translates directly into engagement and success. Last school year, her AP Literature class achieved a 100 percent passing rate on the 2025 AP Literature exam.
“She is so skilled at explaining literature in simple, comprehensible ways. She keeps us engaged by finding ways to relate the material we’re learning to everyday examples. Her love for reading encourages us to also appreciate books both in and out of the classroom. She deserves this title because she’s incredibly dedicated to her students, and she has an undeniable passion for what she does,” Brianna Oramas, junior and AP Literature student, said.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Vazquez brings that same energy to the National English Honor Society, where she serves as moderator. Through literary trivia and book exchanges, she fosters not only academic growth but genuine joy in reading.
“Mrs. Vazquez is the kind of teacher who not only promotes a reading education but also wants to foster a love of English through her work in NEHS [National English Honor Society]. My experience with her as a moderator reminds me why she is so good at what she does, and her dedication to every meeting and event is so beyond valuable to us,” Emma Moran, senior and National English Honor Society vice president, said.
She leads with heart and courage just like the many of the characters and lessons she brings to life in the classroom. It is no surprise that Mrs. Vazquez took this opportunity to impart valuable advice on her ability to navigate difficult situations that she believes is applicable to every Lourdes girl. When confronted with a challenge, she asks herself one simple three-part question:
“How big of a deal is this going to be in five days, five months or even five years?” This approach, she says, “helps us to not catastrophize a situation in our head that will not matter in the future.”
This lesson, along with the many others she has shared with every Lourdes girl she has had the privilege of teaching, will endure beyond any of those time frames. These are lessons for a lifetime.
