“Growing up in a Catholic household, values like faith, integrity, and community were not just taught, but lived,” Ian Gill recalled, reflecting on his Catholic upbringing that steered his educational journey at the School of the Incarnation in Gambrills and continues to influence his life and ministry.
Gill, now a youth minister at Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville, viewed his 2008 graduation from the School of the Incarnation not merely as the conclusion of a chapter but as the commencement of a lasting connection.
Returning to the familiar corridors, this time as a parent, Gill’s memories of forming friendships with teachers and classmates shapes his vision for his daughter Sophia. He envisions her having the same enriching experience with Catholic education and embracing the enduring values that shaped him.
“The kindness and the pastoral care of my teachers, and their investment in me is what I remember most about my time there,” he said.
Reflecting on the changes since his student days, Gill saw a continuity in the attention to individual students, the integration of technology, and the growth in parent involvement and sports programs – an evolution of the school.
Gill recalled the school, established in 2000, being relatively new when he was enrolled. Now, seeing his daughter carry on the legacy, he feels a sense of pride – a “testament to the community’s growth” and the school’s ability to maintain itself as an educational institution.
For Gill, the decision to enroll Sophia wasn’t just a matter of proximity, but of a choice, shaped by Gill’s positive encounter with Catholic education and a profound belief in the school’s enduring values.
Anticipating his daughter’s spiritual journey, he envisions the School of the Incarnation continuing to shape his family’s life, “I’m excited for my daughter to create friendships and to be at an advantage where I was coming in as a new kid in sixth grade. Where she can form deeper bonds and shared experiences.”
Gill’s perspective goes beyond dropping off a child at school, and involves active investment in the entire educational community. His advice to fellow parents is rooted in a belief in collective growth, urging them to support teachers, be involved, and contribute to the school’s culture.
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