Tucson News NowLocal educator honored at White House

Local educator honored at White House

The White House recognized a local educator this week for her contributions to the community.  Sr. Rosa Maria Ruiz has served Catholic education for over 50 years, serving as the Superintendent Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Tucson in Arizona since June 1997.

Ruiz attended the special ceremony on Wednesday as part of its Champions of Change campaign.   As Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Tucson, Sister has oversees the 26 schools in the immediate Tucson area as well as schools in Nogales, Douglas and Globe. 

"It was hard for me to leave the classroom to become a principal and later a superintendent, but soon I realized that I could do more for children in these positions," Ruiz said in a release published on the White House web site. "I can oversee each of our Catholic schools and feel confident that teachers are teaching and students are learning."

Ruiz helped open three new high schools and an elementary school in her 15 years as Superintendent.  She has revised the entire Catholic schools policies four times over the years to keep information and best practices current as well as created protocols to ensure all Catholic schools within the Diocese are properly accredited. 

 Ironically, Ruiz was looking forward to meeting the President when she was at his residence in Washington D.C. but Mr. Obama was visiting Arizona. 

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