Ms. Becky Ward: Principal

Ms. Becky Ward is beginning her fifth year as principal of St. Raphael Catholic School. She has dedicated her career to Catholic education and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, families, and staff of the St. Raphael community.

Ms. Ward earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began her career teaching high school Spanish and Religion. After taking time away from teaching to raise her four children, she returned to Catholic education and spent eight years teaching middle school Math and Religion in the Diocese of Rockford. During that time, she earned two master’s degrees from Aurora University—one in Teaching and Learning and one in Educational Leadership. Before coming to St. Raphael, Ms. Ward served for four years as principal of St. Peter School in Geneva.

Ms. Ward is passionate about Catholic education and creating a school community where students grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Her Catholic faith is at the heart of both her personal life and her vocation as an educator, and she considers it a privilege to help students grow in their relationship with Christ while discovering and developing the gifts God has given them.

Ms. Ward has four adult children, two of whom teach in Catholic schools, and a big dog named Bailey. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, doing Sudoku puzzles, and knitting.