Principal to receive St. Thomas Aquinas Award
Southern Nebraska Register
For Ashley Rockey, principal of St. Michael School in Lincoln, education has always been more than a profession – it has been a calling, nurtured from the very beginning of her own school days.
She vividly remembers her kindergarten year, when her teacher, Mrs. Simon, told her parents at their first conference that Ashley was destined to be an educator.
“Not only hearing that from her, but seeing the way she shared her love and compassion with her students, I knew I wanted to do the same thing,” Rockey said.
That early confidence never left her. In fact, her relationship with Mrs. Simon continued long after graduation.
When Rockey began her teaching career, her beloved teacher showed up at her classroom door to gift her mementos from the woman’s own years in education. One of those gifts – a small keepsake – still sits in Rockey’s office today.
“It reminds me that there is always someone who believes in me,” she explained.
Rockey’s personal journey is deeply rooted in Catholic schools. Growing up in the Diocese of Lincoln, she experienced firsthand the value of faith-based education.
“As a product of Catholic schools myself, I know how important it is to form students wholly in Christ,” she said. “Our children live in a world full of distractions. They need a place where they can grow academically, but also develop a foundation in their faith that will guide them for the rest of their lives.”
After earning her degree, Rockey began teaching at Rousseau Elementary in Lincoln in 2012. While she loved teaching in the public school system, she felt an unmistakable pull toward Catholic education, where she could openly share her faith and integrate it into daily classroom life.
“Catholic education allows us to teach the whole child – not just their mind, but their heart and soul as well,” she said. “That is the true gift of our schools.”
As principal, Rockey sees her role as much more than managing a building or overseeing academics. Her focus is on cultivating a strong sense of family and belonging at St. Michael.
“It means everything to me that our students and staff feel loved and respected for who they are in Christ,” she said. “When you walk through the doors of our school, you should feel like you are home.”
That culture is built in small but powerful ways. Rockey makes it a priority to be present with her students. She knows their names, greets them at drop-off, and celebrates their milestones – both big and small.
One of her favorite traditions is visiting incoming kindergarten students in their homes during the summer to deliver a book.
“It’s so special to meet them where they are,” she said. “Later, when they come to school, they’ll say, ‘Mrs. Rockey, I still read that book every night with my mom.’ Those moments fill my heart.”
She also cherishes celebrating students’ baptismal anniversaries in the school chapel, reinforcing their identity as beloved children of God. For Rockey, it is in these personal connections – daily affirmations of faith – that she finds the deepest joy in her vocation.
While big events and schoolwide successes matter, Rockey insists that her greatest rewards come from everyday interactions: a handwritten note left on her desk, a student sharing a story, or a kindergartner waving in the hall.
“I feel so validated in my vocation when I see students live out their faith,” she said. “Whether it’s a fifth-grader leading prayer at Mass or a preschooler making the sign of the cross for the first time, those moments assure me that we are doing God’s work.”
Receiving the St. Thomas Aquinas Award has been both humbling and affirming. Rockey sees it not as a personal achievement, but as a recognition of the community she serves.
“This award is not just for me – it’s for Him,” she said. “I couldn’t do what I do each day without my relationship with the Lord. Every success I have as a leader is because He is guiding me.”
Rockey is quick to acknowledge the support of her family. She said her husband and daughters make sacrifices alongside her, often sharing their time and energy so she can dedicate herself fully to her school.
“I am deeply grateful for my family, my colleagues, and my students – past, present, and future,” she said. “They continue to teach me every single day.”
As Rockey reflected on her journey, she said she is filled with gratitude and excitement for the future of St. Michael School. She hopes to continue strengthening bonds within the community and nurturing the next generation of faith-filled leaders.
“My greatest hope is that every student who walks through our doors feels loved, respected, and supported for who they are in Christ,” she said. “If they leave here with that foundation, then we have done our job.”
Rockey said she knows the path of Catholic education is not always easy, but she believes deeply in its mission and its fruits.
“This work is a gift,” she said. “To watch children grow not just academically, but spiritually, and to know that we are helping them build a relationship with God – that’s the greatest privilege of all.”
Rockey will receive her award Oct. 12 at the third annual “Saints & Scholars” dinner to celebrate Catholic schools, educators and benefactors in the Diocese of Lincoln. All are welcome to attend. See See www.goodshepherdscholarship.com for more details.
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