Loretto educates for the times – Sharon Kassing SL: The gift of learning

Loretto has a heart for education. The first Sisters of Loretto taught children on the frontier in Kentucky starting in 1812. As the order moved across the country over the next century and a half, and then into South America and China, opening and running schools and teaching in many others, thousands of children and families benefited from the Sisters’ commitment to compassion, academic excellence and faith. Today, this might mean teaching in a classroom, or it might be reflected in other ways to touch and teach others. Here, and in upcoming issues, we’ll share stories of Loretto members who continue to educate. Some are in the heyday of their careers, while others, perhaps officially retired, remain lifelong teachers, in or out of the classroom. Watch for profiles in upcoming issues.

Opening myself to being taught, especially by 10-year-olds, is and has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. The exchange is an equation at equilibrium, flowing evenly!

Sharon Kassing SL

From the time I was first a student of the Sisters of Loretto at Nerinx Hall, I was witness to stellar teaching; education was exciting and fun. I never had a mediocre teacher. I have to admit though, being a teacher was never in my personal plans. I wanted to be an illustrator for Walt Disney, a veterinarian or own a hardware store.”

God’s plans for our lives don’t necessarily line up with our youthful aspirations! Sharon, who ended up teaching for nearly three decades in an elementary school — primarily science and art — says being a teacher turned out to be “a very special gift” in her life.

After 29 years in the classroom, she went on to serve at the St. Louis Zoo for 13 years, saying that it was “a fitting capstone to my years of teaching. In partnership with Washington University and the National Science Foundation we worked with the Saint Louis Public School teachers and students to develop a fondness and concern for animals and their habitats and the role that we all have in ensuring their long-term existence.

My job as an educator has always been to take away barriers to learning, no matter what the age group. Kids, especially, could probably teach themselves quite well if there were fewer things in their way. It’s also important to help kids find and be proud of what they are good at, what their gifts are. And to help them let it shine! That means I need to teach every student, not just the ones who ‘get it.’ And finally, my job is always to be fair and to show them how to do it too. When I received work from my students, I respected it and returned it in a way that reflected I had paid close attention to what they submitted.”

Sharon’s impact, as with all inspiring teachers, has been long-term. “I proudly take credit,” she says, “for a significant number of people who have gone into science, art or music careers. Really makes me proud. But it also makes me proud to see them having lovely families with kids of their own.”

Sharon Kassing SL’s gift of art

The patterns kept coming, so I just kept drawing them. I think I’ve drawn in the neighborhood of about 400 since I started in 2015.

Sharon Kassing SL

On her art:

Sharon’s mother encouraged her to create from a young age. She shares, “I got my first set of real watercolor paints and brushes when I was 10 years old. I took classes at the St. Louis Art Museum. Gabriel Mary Hoare SL taught me at Nerinx Hall and mentored me as I taught art to my classes.

“I incorporated art projects into all my science and social studies classes too. I taught animal-related art projects with teachers when I worked at the St. Louis Zoo. That was great fun.

Sharon says of the mandalas, “The patterns kept coming, so I just kept drawing them. I think I’ve drawn in the neighborhood of about 400 since I started in 2015. Most recently I’ve started drawing in white and gold on black paper. Very satisfying. “

Read all of the articles in the summer 2026 issue of Loretto Magazine.