Bishop Noll Institute veteran teacher Elizabeth Conley has retired after a total of 48 years in education. Conley, who served as a speech, theater, debate and physical education teacher, has taught at BNI for 28 years. She also served as head of the theater department and as director of countless productions.
Conley was a beloved consultant for students. Every school year, she attended one of the four-day long Kairos trips with the junior class. These Catholic retreats use personal talks from peer and adult leaders, as well as discussions, periods of silence and reflection and integrated prayer experiences to help teens discover God in all things.
“I’ve definitely felt the positive ends of her presence. She has helped me in numerous ways with my personal life, daily life, and school life. School has stopped being a chore but something enjoyable solely based off her antics,” said Alexis Rodriguez, a 2018 Bishop Noll graduate.
Conley was a professional actress in Seattle when a friend asked her to temporaily teach her theater class.
“I fell in love with teaching theater and directing,” Conley said.
Prior to teaching at Bishop Noll, she taught at schools in Illinois, Indiana, Seattle, and Albuquerque.
Conley has a long lasting effect on not only her students, but her colleagues as well. Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick, Bishop Noll Class of 2001, said it was interesting to have Conley first as a teacher and then as a colleague.
“As a teacher, Mrs. Conley always had me thinking and to date, she still has me thinking about the right way to approach obstacles and challenges. In many ways, she still is my teacher,” Pastrick said.
Conley said her favorite part about Noll is her students.
“She is a true inspiration for students and teachers alike, no matter what type of field you are going to go into from teacher, family person, or whatever. Mrs. Conley is the perfect example of adults that we need in the world for being not only open but also caring and friendly to all people around,” said Abel Alejandr, a 2018 Noll grad.
“Everything that I’ve done, especially at times when I had a pivotal fork in the road moment, one of the voices I have in my head coaching me on things is Mrs. Conley,” said David Negrete, Bishop Noll Class of 1999.
When asked what is important about Catholic education, Conley said, “The Lord. You get to pray.” She also said that the Bishop Noll student is like no other student. The diversity and range of student is amazing and what she loved about coming to Noll every day.
Conley has no special plans in honor of her retirement. However, she plans on traveling with her husband. Although she will no longer be a full-time teacher, Conley will teach theater part-time at Calumet College of St. Joseph and also plans on subbing at Noll periodically.