by Kary Ellen Barger

“Never say never.”

That phrase is true for Judy Back Gerwe, a Mount Notre Dame alumna and current president of the school. Gerwe always knew she wanted to be a teacher in a Catholic school, but leading one was not in her original plans as she looked forward to reaching youth directly.

“In Catholic education, I have the opportunity to share my faith with my students, but also be my authentic self,” said Gerwe.

A “tap on the shoulder,” as Gerwe said, led her from teaching to administration, and she is now retiring after 40 years of serving in Catholic education. As president, her numerous contributions and accomplishments include guiding Mount Notre Dame through several five-year strategic plans, both in their creation and execution; leading a capital campaign that established the school’s new Learning Commons and Performing Arts Center; growing the school’s endowment to more than $10 million; and enthusiastically engaging in service and mission activities with students, including multiple global missions.

Gerwe noted that being a teacher and administrator weren’t always easy, but that’s where God took over. “When I interviewed at Mount Notre Dame, one question I was asked about was my prayer life,” she said. “I feel like my life is a prayer. Before going into a meeting, I would ask to be a good listener, help me find resolutions to an issue or do well on a presentation. When teaching, if students were struggling with content, I would ask God to help me better explain the content. Then, when I would talk, I knew some things were divinely inspired. I feel God’s presence with me all the time and often reflect that ‘Wow—what happened just there was not me.’”

While reflecting on her career, Gerwe shared that her work was much more than clocking in and out each day.

“Teaching in a Catholic school or being a Catholic school leader is more than a job or career—it’s a vocation,” she said. “It’s a calling, and we need people to take that calling like priests or religious. We need Catholic school leaders and educators to answer that call. I see being a Catholic educator as a great opportunity to teach in an environment of faith, community and high expectations—and it’s so rewarding.”

As she looks toward her next chapter, Gerwe noted that the Catholic community, including the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, prepared her to transition into her next chapter.

“Being a life-long learner is so important, [as is] having that growth mindset that learning never stops,” said Gerwe. “Even though I’m retiring, most of my learning comes from people who I surround myself with. I have a strong faith in God’s goodness. I’m excited about the next chapter of my life and I trust that God will be with me through my journey.

As for what’s next for Gerwe? Spending time with her family—her husband, children and grandchildren—is at the top of that list, as well as traveling and reading. But her time will be filled in many other ways.

“A wise person told me you need to retire to something, not from something,” said Gerwe. “As I ponder retirement, I think about a lot of things I want to retire to and my list is growing. I hope to be more present to people in my life. But it’s going to be great not to set that alarm clock.”

This article appeared in the February 2024 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here