Sometimes, Part Two is Even Sweeter
Life doesn't always unfold the way we expect. Sometimes the path we carefully plan leads us somewhere unexpected and, if we're paying attention, somewhere even better.
For Andy Perkins, "part two" turned out to be right here at St. Thomas More School. After retiring from a career in education, Andy explored a new chapter, believing his days in a school building were behind him. But it didn't take long to realize that what he loved most wasn't simply teaching, it was being part of a school community. It was the energy of the hallways, the laughter of students, the relationships with families, and the opportunity to make a difference in countless small ways every single day.
Today, Andy serves as a welcoming presence that helps keep St. Thomas More running smoothly. He's often the very first face you'll see when you walk through our front doors, greeting parents, students, visitors, and parishioners with a smile. Throughout the day, he answers phone calls,
helps parents connect with teachers, makes sure forgotten lunches find their way to hungry students, and steps in wherever he's needed. One moment he may be placing new nameplates outside classrooms, and the next he's helping solve an unexpected problem before anyone else even realizes there is one.
That's part of what Andy loves most. "No two days are ever the same," he says. "The randomness keeps things exciting."
It takes a special person to embrace the unpredictability of school life with patience and joy. Whether he's calming a nervous visitor, helping a student who needs assistance, or simply offering a friendly hello, Andy reminds us that ministry isn't always found in grand gestures.
Often, it's found in the quiet acts of service that make people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. His story is also a reminder that God has a way of calling us back to the places where our gifts are needed most. Retirement wasn't the end of Andy's story, it was the beginning of a new vocation. His second chapter has become just as meaningful as the first, proving that sometimes part two is even sweeter.
Three Things You May Not Know About Andy.
I love riding my bike on the Rock Island trail
My favorite place is the beach on Michigan's east coast
I love reading fiction
