Savannah Spurlock said she can walk into one of her classes at Notre Dame High School feeling rotten and leave later on top of the world.
The reason for the mood change, she said, is Sister Thomas More Stepnowski, one of four Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia at the school.
“They’re very positive people,” said Spurlock, a senior. “They come in smiling. They love to teach. They just add a good vibe to the environment.”
The Dominicans – three teachers and one administrator – have returned to Notre Dame after an absence of 37 years. Members of the Roman Catholic teaching order, which has its headquarters in Nashville, were the first teachers at the school upon its founding in 1876.
“It’s been a very, very smooth transition for us,” said Perry Storey, principal of Notre Dame. “From what we’ve seen in parishes, in the community meetings, everyone is excited to have them as part of the community.”