By Bette Harris
“My head says it’s time, but not my heart,” she said after completing her time at the school in June. “This is my life – all that I have known.”
The school and its students have been the beneficiaries of that life’s work. Many graduates are accepted at selective high schools and colleges as a result of her propensity to “raise the bar and teach for excellence.”
A growing number of second-generation students are matriculating at St. Martin’s, as graduates seek the same quality education for their children, too.
During her tenure, St. Martin of Tours School has grown into a top ranked elementary school known for its nurturing environment as well as academic strength.
Although small in size with fewer than 250 students, the school consistently places in the top 10 of more than 100 schools at the annual Junior High Academic Decathlon.
Students regularly advance to the upper levels of the Science Fair and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Essay Contest. Two students recently won first place at the national level and were honored at the DAR headquarters in Washington D.C., a phenomenal achievement for any school.
St. Martin of Tours School has also changed physically over the years, with numerous improvements and renovations.
Determined to bring the latest state of the art technology to SMT, Oswald launched a capital campaign some years ago, and oversaw the construction of a new computer center and art workshop.
She was taken aback at the ribbon cutting, when the unveiling revealed signage bearing her name, a fitting tribute to one whose vision provided the impetus for this major undertaking.
Oswald’s passion for excellence is in her roots.
Both of her parents were immigrants from Portugal with limited education. Her mother was a seamstress and her father worked in the rubber industry for Firestone. They taught their two daughters the value of hard work and encouraged them to pursue higher learning. Both girls went on to acquire advanced degrees and become life-long educators.
At Durfee High School in Fall River, Massachusetts, Cecile Felipe distinguished herself as a student and leader.
“Flip” (as she was called by her friends) was in Math Club, on the Student Council, and President of the Health Club.
As President of the Students’ Activities Association, “the nucleus of all school activities,” she helped with freshman and sophomore orientation, organized pep rallies, school dances, and banquets.
She enjoyed sports, playing basketball throughout junior high and high school, and was a member of the Girls’ Numeral Club, formed to promote girls’ sports at Durfee. Skilled at speech and debate, she was a debate tournament finalist and also on the Speakers Bureau.
Oswald wasn’t always interested in teaching.
When one of her teachers at Durfee observed her ability to instruct and lead, he told her, “You’ve got to teach!”
She fluffed it off, and chose Business as a major at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
She was even more convinced that she wasn’t suited to teaching, when she saw her roommate cutting construction paper for an education project. A consummate math person, she was having none of it.
Oswald studied hard in college and stayed active by swimming and playing basketball. She sang in the Newman Club choir and appeared in one of the group’s televised performances. She joined Pi Beta Phi sorority, engaged in community service projects, and was involved in student government, rising to Vice President of the student body.
After graduating with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, she accepted a position as a retail buyer of women’s clothing. There she enjoyed the fast pace of the business world and thought she had found her niche.
A few years later that would all change. Marriage would take her to France. Her husband, Jim was in the Army and stationed there. Oswald applied for a teaching job “on a whim” at the American School in La Rochelle.
“I needed to find something to do to keep busy,” she said, although still uncertain about teaching at the time.
She spent a year teaching sixth-graders, children of U.S. military personnel.
She really got to know these students whose lives were not very stable. They were constantly being uprooted and relocated, and thus wary about forming friendships.
But they found the young American teacher approachable – someone they could relate to, and talk to. She was surprised by their quick acceptance and respect. Her view of teaching changed. “I can do this!” she realized. “I can make a difference.”
So when the young couple returned stateside, Oswald pursued substitute teaching jobs, growing more proficient and confident with each assignment.
The Oswalds moved to New Jersey. Eventually Jim’s career would take them to Southern California. Oswald obtained a Masters degree in Education and teaching credential from the University of San Francisco.
She found work substitute teaching mathematics at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles. After that, she taught at St. Anne School in Santa Monica for six years.
In 1976, she arrived at St. Martin of Tours School and taught 4th, 7th, and 8th grade math. Then in 1989, she became the school’s principal, a position she held for 25 years.
She has instilled in her children the same love of learning, passion for excellence, and proclivity to “give back.”
So, what about life after retirement?
“I’ve got to get a life,” she quipped.
But that’s hard to imagine for a woman who has built a wonderful one with Jim, her husband of 55 years and their family, including six grandchildren.
Certainly, she will have more time to cheer on the grandkids at their many sports competitions.
She also plans to do some consulting, take up Pilates, and spend time cooking, sewing, and gardening. Maybe she’ll even return to the classroom, but perhaps this time as a student.
