By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

MIAMI SHORES | Every morning at 5:15 a.m., Dr. Donald Edwards gets up and prepares for another day in Catholic education.

Years ago, as a teacher, he dreaded the early wake-up call. Today, as associate superintendent for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Miami, he admits it is still not easy.

“But I’ve gotten up at 5:15 in the morning for 53 years,” Edwards said.

In those quiet moments before dawn, he reminds himself: “I have a job. A job that I enjoy and for which I am grateful. And I have the strength, the capacity, and the God-given talent to go to that job and to do that job.”

The routine has outlasted classrooms, principalships and leadership roles spanning preschool education to doctoral studies. Now, after more than half a century in the profession, Edwards has received one of Catholic education’s highest honors: the National Catholic Educational Association’s  (NCEA) 2026 Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education Award.

The recognition also reflects Edwards' role in supporting one of the largest Catholic school systems in the southeastern United States. For the past 15 years, he has helped guide educational initiatives across the Archdiocese of Miami, which serves more than 37,000 students through 65 schools and three stand-alone preschools in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. The system provides education from infancy through 12th grade, combining academic excellence with faith formation.

 

A national honor for a lifetime of service

Surprised by the honor, Edwards said it reflects recognition from his peers for decades of service.

“I don't receive many awards, certainly not many national awards,” he said.

Annual nominations are submitted to the NCEA by dioceses and schools nationwide. This year, Archdiocese of Miami Superintendent Jim Riggnominated Edwards. In a nomination letter, Rigg — who has known Edwards for more than 25 years — characterized him as an exemplary Catholic educator and widely respected mentor.

“He has made an undeniable impact on thousands of students, parents and educators, and has served with enormous distinction as a teacher, principal, president, college professor and associate superintendent,” Rigg wrote.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski also endorsed the nomination, highlighting Edwards’ contribution to the Archdiocese of Miami over the past 15 years.

“Dr. Edwards is a man of great faith who incorporates his love for Jesus and the Catholic Church into his daily work,” Wenski wrote. “He has worked relentlessly to support educators and implement programs that enhance the excellence and Catholic identity of our schools.”

The archbishop’s commendation was echoed by many of Edwards’ colleagues. At an Archdiocese of Miami principals’ retreat where his recognition was announced, he received a standing ovation. Schools also shared the news on social media.

Sister Carmen Teresa Fernandez, president of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, said Edwards exemplifies the mission of Catholic education by uniting academic excellence with faith formation.

“His leadership has inspired teachers and administrators to view the classroom as both an academic and spiritual space — one where truth, beauty and goodness are revealed through every discipline,” she said, adding that his willingness to listen, accompany and encourage reflects a leader who serves “with both heart and conviction.”

Oscar Cedeño, principal of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, still remembers Edwards’ influence from early in his career as a teacher.

“His decades of Catholic leadership experience bring a wisdom he likes to call ‘Donnie-ology,’” Cedeño said. “His quirky, yet true-to-the-mission, sense of humor always keeps us on our toes and engaged in the task at hand: evangelizing the students and employees in our care.”

While colleagues point to leadership and mentorship, Edwards says his mission in working with educators has always been rooted in service, “ultimately facilitating our entry into heaven by having lived our lives in service to the Church.”

While Edwards holds undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in education, he also earned degrees in music, choral music, composition and arranging.

“I went to school and expected to become a resident composer with a symphony orchestra or an opera company. I never intended to be an educator, let alone an educator in Catholic schools,” he said.

 

A calling to serve Catholic education 

He was working as a choral director at Bishop College in Dallas, Texas, when a Dominican sister from Bishop Lynch High School — who also taught at the college — approached him with a teaching position. Curious, Edwards visited Bishop Lynch High, met the principal, and was hired.

At St. Peter Academy in Dallas, he quickly found himself wearing multiple hats. Two days after arriving, the science teacher resigned, and Edwards was asked to take over the classes. Months later, he also assumed responsibility for the band program.

“I had credentials in those areas, but that is how I became aware of the reality of teaching in a Catholic school. You do what you’re called to do. You do what needs to be done. You step up. You serve the Lord in any capacity to which you’re called,” he said.

He later became assistant principal at the school.

In Memphis, Tennessee, he joined St. Ann School as a music and science teacher. There, Superintendent Sister Mary Francis Regis Trojano of the Sisters of St. Joseph asked whether he had ever considered becoming a principal.

“She was such a holy woman and such a fine Catholic educator, an inspiration,” Edwards said. “She asked me to think about it, to pray about it.”

After reflection and a conversation with his parents, he accepted the suggestion and pursued further studies, eventually becoming principal of St. Michael School in Memphis.

He later served as principal — and then president — of Bishop Byrne Middle and High School, where he mentored two young educators who would go on to leadership roles in the Diocese of Memphis and beyond: Jim Rigg and LaTonya White.

“Growing up during that time, he was a role model for me as an aspiring principal and leader, forming my leadership capacity,” White said.

White is now associate superintendent of teaching and learning for Archdiocese of Miami schools, where she serves alongside Edwards and Rigg.

Making Miami home

Of the Memphis trio, Edwards was the first to move to the Archdiocese of Miami in 2011, recruited by then-Superintendent Kim Przybylski.

He recalls that his wife was joyful about moving to a place with temperatures similar to those of her native Rwanda.

“We got to Miami on a Sunday afternoon in the summer,” he said. “We went to Mass, and we’ve been here ever since. This is home.”

Even after decades in education, retirement is not on his mind.

“If the Lord wants me to retire, he’ll tap me on the shoulder and let me know. And I haven’t felt that tap,” Edwards said.

He added, “Catholic education is my life; it’s my breath. I need Catholic education, and I pray Catholic education needs me.”

And most mornings, that conviction still begins at 5:15 a.m.