Christine (Hepp) Conti is a 1992 graduate of St. Martin of Tours Elementary School and, after attending Little Flower High School and Chestnut Hill College, has been teaching at SMT since 2000.
“This place is my home and has been my whole life,” said Conti, who grew up on Akron Street and was also married at the church.
Rick Conti, Christine’s husband, is a fourth-grade teacher at St. Martin’s and director of the parish music program. He and others at the school planned a recent surprise celebration Mass and reception for her 25 years as a kindergarten teacher at St. Martin’s.
Students and staff attended the first Friday Mass on May 2, with Rick Conti as cantor and organist and the Rev. Andrew Lane, the parochial administrator, as celebrant in the grand upper church.
The accolades came after Mass, including a blessing by Lane. Principal Lauren Sobieski and assistant principal Dene Jennings read letters of congratulations from Archbishop Nelson Perez and Mayor Cherelle Parker. State Sen. Tina Tartaglione, a St. Martin’s graduate, presented Conti with a citation.
Benny Morten brought greetings from Independence Missions Schools, the parent of St. Martin’s.
Twenty-five students each presented Conti with a rose, with her 6-year-old son Joey handing his mom the last rose, and all the youngsters got a hug.
Scott Jackson, a former colleague now teaching at St. Katherine of Siena, put together video messages from former and current students, staff members and administrators. One woman said Conti’s students are the “luckiest kids in the world.” Another noted how Conti touched the hearts, souls and minds of so many children, describing her as the “richest person in town.”
Conti received a standing ovation.
“We are blessed to have you here,” Sobieski said.
“Here’s to 25 more,” her husband said.
Conti said she enjoys watching her kids in Room 113 grow over the course of the school year.
“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “I love the grade and seeing the growth in them. It’s very rewarding to me to see that growth.” ••
