Mrs. Debra Casey's class of third grade students -- many of whom wore purple, Casey's favorite color, on their last last full day of school -- pose with their teacher, who is entering retirement after 39 years teaching at Holy Name Catholic School. (HNCS Photo)

ESCANABA — Hundreds of students who have gone through Holy Name Catholic School have been fortunate to have learned from Mrs. Debra Casey. After teaching at Holy Name for 39 years, Casey retired at the end of the 2025 to 2026 school year.

Mrs. Casey, who most recently served as a third-grade teacher, has also taught preschool, kindergarten, first, second and fourth grades over her 39-year career at Holy Name. She says she feels fortunate to have been able to also teach her students about the Catholic faith at Holy Name, and has many great memories of teaching her students, meeting their parents, and working with a wonderful group of teachers, staff and administrators. She says she has especially enjoyed teaching classical literature and history to her students.

“I love teaching the classical curriculum,” she said. “One of my favorite classical books to teach is Charlotte’s Web. The lessons it teaches children — friendship and loyalty — are so important to their growth.”

Throughout her career, she has also tried to incorporate art into students’ learning to make their lessons more hands-on and fun, while challenging them to learn new concepts.

“I always felt it was my responsibility to challenge my students, and they rose to the challenge. In third grade, they become independent learners; I’ve enjoyed seeing them become more independent and have loved helping them become more confident young people,” Casey shared.

Some remember her for her more stringent classroom assignments, which, Debra says, she gave for a reason.

“I feel that parents should get their money’s worth, so I’ve always wanted to do my best and give all my attention to my students when I came to school to teach,” she said. “They have to have inner drive. I never gave up on my students, and I didn’t let them give up on themselves.”

During her nearly four-decade-long teaching career, she experienced many classroom changes and technological innovations, such as whiteboards, document/overhead cameras, and Promethean boards.

Using art in classical learning

In her third and fourth-grade classrooms, Casey took extra steps to keep students’ work throughout the school year, compiling personalized portfolios of all of her students’ art and writing projects. “I think parents appreciated these portfolios as keepsakes of their child’s time as a Holy Name student.” 

She said of all the grades she has taught, she particularly enjoyed teaching third grade because the kids can do more for themselves and are learning to be more independent. “I especially enjoy teaching history and literature, but also have enjoyed making science, math, reading, and language arts memorable for my students,” she added.

Casey’s students’ high test scores and the fact that many excelled when they went on to high school were proof of the dynamic learning environment at Holy Name.

“I loved when I heard from teachers at area high schools, who would say they could tell which of their students were Holy Name graduates — they were better students. That always made me proud.” 

Teaching the Catholic faith

Though she worked for seven different administrators in five different classrooms over the past 39 years, Debbie says one thing has stayed constant: the passing on of her Catholic faith.

“I have loved teaching in a Catholic school, which is why I never did leave Holy Name. Holy Name is the best school in which to learn about our faith,” she said. “I love learning about my faith and passing on my knowledge so that we can have the best learning environment for our kids.”

The staff will surely miss Mrs. Casey, who brought a great deal of knowledge and experience to Holy Name, and, most importantly, love for her students.

HNCS Principal Michelle Brief said, “Mrs. Casey has been a staple at Holy Name for 39 years; what an amazing legacy she is leaving behind! She has touched many hearts and educated many students during her reign here. We wish her much happiness and relaxation during her retirement that she has so deservingly earned. Thank you, Mrs. Casey, for educating so many students and showing them the way to Jesus.”