Meet Sister Ronnie Grier

In addition to her work as a supplemental educator, Sr. Ronnie is an member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference.

Sr. Ronnie Grier has ministered primarily in education for over 50 years, as a teacher, principal, and supplemental instructor. Making sure that she was prepared to meet the needs of her students, she earned a BA in Education from Brooklyn College, a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from William Patterson University, a Fund-Raising Management Certificate from Kean University, Wilson Certification from Endicott College, and Special Education Certification from Neumann University. She most recently worked as a supplemental instructor for Camden County Education Commission.

Born in Harlem, New York—the only child of D’arcy and Eula—Ronnie attended public school until sixth grade. Attending Catholic school for the first time, she met the Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood. Reflecting on this time Ronnie shared, “The sisters were real. They enjoyed life. They played sports and invited us to the convent to work with them. They had a love of music, art, and theater. Education was important and you were supported and encouraged for success. They saw great potential in their students.” Attending Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn, Ronnie met many different orders, but she said, “The peace presence was missing.”

At Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Berlin, New Jersey, Sr. Ronnie worked alongside the regular classroom teacher to provide supplemental instruction.

The Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood made such a positive impression on Ronnie that she entered the congregation in 1970. She began her career teaching first grade at St. Francis School in Haskel, New Jersey. Through the years, she also taught first grade at Holy Family in Brooklyn and Mt. Carmel in Passaic, New Jersey. She taught third grade at Assumption in Emerson, New Jersey. After several years in the classroom, Sr. Ronnie returned to St. Francis School to serve as principal. She then went on to be principal at Mt. Carmel. Sr. Ronnie also did development work for Mt. St. Francis in Ringwood, New Jersey.

Sr. Ronnie began her most recent ministry as a supplemental teacher with the Camden County Education Commission in 2003. She had been teaching GED classes through a program funded by Catholic Charities, but when the contract wasn’t renewed, Sr. Ronnie was combing through the classified ads in the local paper when she saw the job posting looking for teachers. She said, “I sent in my resume, had an interview in the same week, and the rest is history.”

Sr. Ronnie received the Harriet Tubman Award in 2015. It was presented at the Annual Conference of the National Black Sisters’ Conference.

While Sr. Ronnie worked for Camden County for over 20 years, and her responsibilities changed as funding and requirements shifted. For example, she began working with students in their homes where she had an hour to work with students, giving them support in reading and math. Then the program shifted to a “pull-out” program where students would be pulled out of the classroom for 45 minutes. Most recently, the program is a “push-in” program where Sr. Ronnie went into the classroom to help the student for 30 minutes. Even though the time with students continued to decrease, she always found a way to make it work for her students because they are the priority. She shared, “It all comes down to helping the students achieve their goals and feel good about themselves and very often advocating for them.”

In addition to her teaching ministry, Sr. Ronnie has been very active in the National Black Sisters’ Conference (NBSC). In 2015, she was presented with the Harriet Tubman Award at their annual conference. This award is given to a member who exemplifies the spirit, charisma, and courage of Harriet Tubman who was called to be a Moses to her people. In honor of her recent Golden Jubilee, Sr. Ronnie was the “Sister in the Spotlight” in the NBSC Weekly Update for the week of September 12, 2024. The article noted Sr. Ronnie’s contributions stating, “Sr. Ronnie Grier has been a faithful member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference serving on many committees. She is known for her common-sense approach coupled with a calm delivery. Sr. Ronnie is an asset to any committee she chairs or serves on.”

Sr. Ronnie walks with sisters on the grounds of Mt. St. Francis in Ringwood during the closing ritual.

Anyone who spends time with Sr. Ronnie will attest to her “calm delivery” and peaceful presence. Whether working together on a committee or sharing a meal, Sr. Ronnie always has a smile and a kind word to share. When I am in her presence, I feel seen and heard. Because she listens well, she often has insightful observations to share.

When asked what she likes to do when she’s not busy working, Sr. Ronnie said, “I like numbers, so I like puzzle challenges such as Sudoku. Poetry writing is a close second. I also enjoy listening to music and reading mysteries. Speaking of mysteries, the Hallmark mysteries and the PBS mystery series can have me on the edge of my seat as well!”

In her reflection for her recent jubilee, Sr. Ronnie wrote, “Therefore, these 50 years were a time to learn, teach, be taught, and yes, even touch people’s lives. But now, it is just breathed time. Time to be curious, restless, wonder wanderer, quiet moments of reflection on what lies ahead.”

Sr. Ronnie has some extra time for moments of reflection now, as she is taking time for a sabbatical. She has spent time at the Sedona Mago Healing Center in Arizona and Springbank in Kingstree, South Carolina. She explained, “This year sees me taking time to just be. Perhaps there will be new adventures, stirrings, musings that open up possibilities of a different kind?”

Colleen Collins