Heather Gordon
Campus Minister and Teacher
Aurora,CO
Summary
Experienced campus minister and classroom teacher dedicated to accompanying the young church through pastoral care, engaging retreats, classroom lessons and discussions, and inviting all members of the community to share and grow in faith together.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Campus Minister & Teacher
St. Mary's Academy
Englewood, CO
08.2019 - Current
- Developed and implemented engaging spiritual activities and educational curricula to foster a meaningful religious experience for students from PK-8 and an all-girls high school.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive lesson plans for high school courses focused on philosophy of religion, New Testament, morality, ethics, and world religions. Led initiatives to enhance learning experiences for both in-person and remote students.
- Assisted in evaluating and selecting curriculum for grades K-8 that aligns with high school division objectives. Supported lower and middle school faculty in developing lessons for religion and values programs.
- Contributed as committee member for archdiocesan visit and accreditation review process.
- Led the development and execution of prayer services, masses, and class retreats for grades K-12. Cultivated sacred spaces and programming that invites students to engage with spirituality. Championed respect for diverse beliefs and spiritual practices, enhancing community inclusivity.
Denver City Director
DOOR Network
Denver, CO
03.2017 - 08.2019
- Cultivated and strengthened partnerships with local social service agencies to enhance direct service delivery.
- Facilitated recruitment, interviewing, and training of local youth aged 14-25 for Discern and Dwell programs.
- Facilitated workshops to promote cultural awareness and social justice topics including implicit bias, cultural intelligence, gentrification, economic justice, and food justice. Supported youth and adults in reflecting on justice and community issues.
- Facilitated coordination of service learning experiences and logistics for both short-term and long-term volunteers.
- Administered all facets of Denver Door's financial operations, focusing on budgeting, fundraising initiatives, grant writing, and consistent reporting to local financial boards.
- Assisted local community stakeholders in program collaboration and submitted regular reports to local and national boards.
- Exhibited capacity to adjust effectively to fluctuating and high-pressure work environments.
Coordinator of Service Learning & Theology Teacher
Marian Catholic High School
Chicago Heights, IL
09.2006 - 08.2017
- Cultivated and strengthened partnerships with local social service agencies to enhance direct service delivery.
- Developed and implemented training programs for students, resulting in increased enrollment and community engagement in Discovery in Service course.
- Led collaboration with Speed 802 and Special Olympics Illinois to develop and execute inclusion luncheons. Coordinated student support for young athletes' culminating events in 2014 and 2015. Oversaw Marian's hosting of the young athletes' culminating event in May 2016, engaging over 200 volunteers. Championed Marian Catholic High School's full investment as a unified school with Special Olympics in 2016-17.
- Established partnerships with Chicago Heights community organizations to provide meaningful service experiences for students.
- Achieved curriculum development and updates for service-learning course centered on interpersonal skills, enhancing students' active listening and assertive communication abilities. Promoted personal reflection on service and underscored the value of empathetic responses. Explored academic subjects such as the history of service, theology of charity, Catholic social teaching, and advocacy.
- Facilitated junior-level theology courses on prayer, worship, sacraments, and Christian ethics. Supported students by establishing clear, measurable goals and providing regular feedback. Collaborated with colleagues to align learning objectives and assess student performance.
Campus Minister
Marian Catholic High School
Chicago Heights, IL
09.2006 - 05.2016
- Assisted in managing department budget from 2010 to 2013. Supported creation of department calendar. Helped supervise department members. Participated in monthly meetings with administrative council and department chairs to discuss school policies and vision.
- Created and managed comprehensive retreat programs to enhance engagement for classes ranging from 175 to 400 participants.
- Collaborated to design a training program for Dominican Ambassadors, focusing on group dynamics, icebreaker facilitation, and discussion guidance.
- Assisted director of diversity in developing new programming and prayer experiences for student body. Supported African American heritage mass and prayer service initiatives. Coordinated Dia de los Muertos altar and Mix-It-Up at Lunch Day events. Facilitated discussions on diversity with Girls Night Out group.
- Participated in a three-day intensive anti-racism and diversity training program through Crossroads.
- Recruited, trained, and supervised 80-150 Dominican Ambassadors, 150 or more students to be Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Ushers each year.
- Facilitated impactful school-wide masses and reconciliation services, fostering spiritual growth within the community. Coordinated class and student group events, including sophomore ring mass and baccalaureate mass, to strengthen alumni connections. Delivered meaningful memorial and reunion masses, enhancing community ties.
- Delivered compassionate guidance and support to enhance the well-being of a diverse community of students and faculty.
Campus Minister to McKendree College & Young Adult Ministry
Diocese of Belleville
Belleville, IL
07.2005 - 07.2006
- Facilitated impactful monthly Newman group liturgies on campus, strengthening community ties. Achieved increased participation through effective weekly meetings and well-organized retreats. Enhanced student leadership board effectiveness by providing service opportunities.
- Facilitated impactful retreats and social activities through collaboration with Methodist chaplain and Unlimited Campus Ministries. Enhanced engagement in Bible studies and weekly worship services. Strengthened community ties by coordinating college-wide events and guest lectures in religion courses.
- Delivered compassionate support to students through dedicated office hours and engagement at sporting events and residence halls.
- Strengthened community ties with St. Joseph Church through active collaboration with parish life coordinator. Optimized office space utilization at church. Enhanced student engagement in parish life initiatives.
- Facilitated young adult ministry initiatives in Belleville Diocese through parish visits and event coordination.
Supervised Practice Ministry Intern
Let’s Start
St. Louis, MO
08.2003 - 05.2004
- Facilitated preparation of teens for Advocacy Day in Jefferson City, ensuring alignment with Crossing Boundaries program objectives.
- Engaged with children and caregivers during Mother's Day visit, fostering supportive relationships at Chillicothe Correctional Center.
- Achieved improved communication skills among participants by delivering a three-session seminar on active listening and assertive communication. Fostered a supportive environment for adolescent children of women transitioning from prison through targeted group facilitation.
- Attended weekly group meetings for women transitioning out of prison. Provided personal and pastoral support to women participants of the Let’s Start program through individual meetings and home visits.
Graduate Research Assistant for Mothers & Children Together Collaborative
Saint Louis University School of Social Work
St. Louis, MO
10.2002 - 07.2003
- Attended monthly meetings with members of the collaborative, Parents as Teachers, Department of Children Services, Office of St. Louis Chief of Police, and Let’s Start
- Administered interview instruments; organized and maintained data files; collated and coded the data for computer entry, manipulation, and analysis; documentation of focus group meetings; assist in a literature review.
- Presented results, along with principle investigators to the M&CT Collaborative Planning Team. Contributed to drafts/reports for publication of the study’s results.
- Completed Collaborative IRB Training Initiative (CITI) program.
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Fulton, MD
07.2000 - 07.2002
- Collaborated with and mentored by Bob and Maggie McCarty, and worked with other ministers on a diocesan and county level; At-large Delegate for the Association of Professional Youth Ministry.
- Directed programming and coordination of 60 middle and 60 high school religious education youth ministry and confirmation initiatives.
- Oversaw recruitment and training initiatives for 15 adult volunteers and catechists in middle school, high school, and confirmation programs.
- Obtained Professional Certificate in Comprehensive Youth Ministry.
Education
M.A. - Theology
Aquinas Institute of Theology
St. Louis, MO12.2006
12 credits MSW - Community Concentration
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO08.2003
B.S. - Geology
Centenary College of Louisiana
Shreveport, LA05.1999
Skills
Enhanced educational experiences by leveraging Google applications, Canvas, and PowerSchool for streamlined learning Maximized software capabilities of Microsoft and Apple to support instructional goals Increased student participation through the strategic use of Quizlet and Kahoot
Timeline
Campus Minister & Teacher
St. Mary's Academy
08.2019 - Current
Denver City Director
DOOR Network
03.2017 - 08.2019
Coordinator of Service Learning & Theology Teacher
Marian Catholic High School
09.2006 - 08.2017
Campus Minister
Marian Catholic High School
09.2006 - 05.2016
Campus Minister to McKendree College & Young Adult Ministry
Diocese of Belleville
07.2005 - 07.2006
Supervised Practice Ministry Intern
Let’s Start
08.2003 - 05.2004
Graduate Research Assistant for Mothers & Children Together Collaborative
Saint Louis University School of Social Work
10.2002 - 07.2003
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
07.2000 - 07.2002
12 credits MSW - Community Concentration
Saint Louis University
B.S. - Geology
Centenary College of Louisiana
M.A. - Theology
Aquinas Institute of Theology