Open to Growth

To be open to growth is to take responsibility for all the aspects of professional development required of an Ignatian educator. This includes being receptive to evaluation, paying serious attention to relevant professional growth opportunities, plus accepting and offering constructive criticism.

To promote student growth, the educator is open to research and practice that enhances human learning and is reasonably flexible in meeting the evolving needs of students and the school community.

Intellectually and Professionally Competent

There is no substitute for knowledge of subject matter and competence in classroom management and the effective use of information technology. Excitement, flare, and enthusiasm are to be encouraged since students respond best to enthusiasm and example.

Professional competence is demonstrated by participation in curricular and professional growth, by consistent efforts to stay current in subject matter, learning theory, technology, and by steady refinement of classroom management and student-motivation techniques.

The relationship between a Jesuit educator and students goes beyond the academic. It involves spiritual and co-curricular activities and as much individual student-teacher contact as is reasonable.

Religious

The Ignatian educator consistently maintains a positive attitude towards the school's goals and philosophies as outlined in the Graduate at Graduation and in documents outlining the four-century Ignatian vision.

Further, the Jesuit educator is a spirit-based person who understands the significance of living life infused with the wisdom and grace of God's indwelling presence.

Loving

In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius says that, "two things should be noted: the first is that love ought to manifest itself in deeds rather than in words. The second is that love exists in mutual interchange on either side." These observations form the basis for building community and are major goals of Jesuit Education.

The concrete application of these principles involves the relationships of the educator with others in the school community. In all relationships, Jesuit educators ought to be guided by the maxim that "ordinary things done with great love will transform the world." Ordinary activities are our daily relationships with students, parents, staff, teachers, and administrators.

Committed to Doing Justice

In order to be taught, justice, like love, must be lived. Ignatian educators are careful to act justly in their actions and attitudes. This involves justice lived with compassion and love.

We take to heart the writings of Father Arrupe when he states that the paramount objective of Jesuit education is to form men and women for and with others. Only in living a life of service do we become fully human in both the natural and spiritual sense.

Therefore, the Ignatian educator helps students to interpret the major issues which threaten to destroy the human family. The Jesuit educator administers classes and activities in such a way that students experience competently-administered, just structures on a daily basis.

Pursuit of Leadership Growth

Mature Ignatian educators model for students the qualities of Christian leaders. This means that ideal Jesuit educators are able to serve in leadership positions in the school as they advance in years of service.

Christian leaders infused with the vision of St. Ignatius will be committed to personal, spiritual, and intellectual growth, will be loving, and will live a life committed to doing justice. We would expect, therefore, that the constant effort we all make to move closer to the ideal will result in the development of true Christian leaders among our most experienced faculty.