As Chaminade Julienne celebrates Catholic Schools Week 2026, we pause to recognize the educators who devote their lives to guiding students in learning, character, and faith. This year, that celebration is highlighted in a unique story of both legacy and new beginnings.
Of the current teaching staff, Dr. Tim Dillon, the religion department chair, is the longest-serving teacher, marking his 42nd year in the CJ classroom. His daughter, Kateri Dillon ’12, is halfway through her first year as a member of the CJ faculty teaching in CJ’s middle school. Together, their shared presence on campus is a powerful reminder that CJ is more than a school — it is a family, shaped by faith, commitment, and generations of connection.
Tim began teaching at CJ during the 1984–1985 school year and says that, although it has been a long time, each year presents a new challenge.
“Throughout the time, I have felt that God is at work in this place, creating a sense of community and allowing me to work with wonderful students and colleagues,” said Tim.
Kateri, who graduated from CJ in 2012, is returning to her alma mater as a middle school teacher. After teaching English learners at Our Lady of the Rosary Middle School, which was hosted on CJ’s campus in recent years.
“I stay because of the strong sense of mission at CJ,” said Kateri. “We have so many creative, talented staff who care deeply about giving our scholars a well-rounded education.”
Working on the same campus has brought moments of both connection and humor.
“Terms dad has thrown around at the dinner table, like ‘Soar groups’ and ‘Eagle Days,’ now have meaning to me. I have run into current 9th graders who worked with me at OLR last year who are excited to tell me that my dad is their teacher,” she said.
Tim admits they haven’t crossed paths often since they work in different buildings, although he couldn’t help laughing the first time Kateri passed him in the hallway and greeted him by calling him “Colleague.”
Neither of them ever truly pictured working together at CJ. Tim says that when it happened, he figured God had a sense of humor. Kateri agrees, explaining that before her time at OLR, she worked in adult education and never envisioned herself in a K–12 setting.
She admits, “It was a pleasant surprise to become the latest Dillon to teach at CJ.”
Both Dillons shared their favorite memories as coworkers so far this year.
“At a recent staff faith-sharing session, we broke into small groups for discussion,” Kateri recalled. “When we were asked to share reflections with the large group, his team members asked him to speak, chanting his name a bit, which was funny. My dad has always had some poignant insights about faith and people, and I appreciated hearing one example of his wisdom being shared with the CJ community, as it has been for over 40 years.”
Tim, meanwhile, appreciates seeing Kateri at faculty meetings and watching her work well with others on a professional level. He also enjoys the role reversal of being recognized by students as “Ms. Dillon’s dad.”
When asked what it means to call CJ home, both answers come from the heart.
“It feels like it was meant to be,” said Tim.
“I now have to inherit more than one set of traditions from my dad!” said Kateri. “We get to share multiple families together, which is such a gift.”
It is estimated that Tim has taught 4,000 CJ students over the past 42 years, while Kateri has just started her career, teaching the first 50 students at CJ Middle School.
“While we can estimate the number of students each has taught, it’s hard to quantify the tremendous impact that they will have on their students, and how that will carry through in those students’ lives,” said Greg Mueller, principal.
“Tim and Kateri Dillon represent both the legacy and the future of Chaminade Julienne. Their presence on campus underscores how CJ remains a place where vocation and community intersect.”