Overview of Faculty/Staff Ignatian Identity and Spiritual Formation Programs Years 1-4

St. Louis University High School

Year One: New Ignatian Educators

A.Four-Day Orientation in August

Practical orientation in policy, procedures and support resources for new teachers and staff combined with daily exercises in prayer and reflection designed as an introduction to Ignatian History, Spirituality, Education and Pedagogy.

B.Quarterly Meetings and Monthly Socials

Quarterly Meetings take place before, during or after school and include personal check-in, addressing timely practical issues, and discussion on Educational and Formational topics. Socials are informal opportunities for relaxing conversation, fellowship and community building for the NIE group.

C.Ignatian Evenings

These are optional for those in year one, and required for years 2 - 4. All faculty and staff are invited. These are late afternoon gatherings during Advent and Lent beginning with guided prayer and meditation followed by silent reflection, group discussion, faith sharing and ending with dinner. Key documents and articles introducing an Ignatian or Jesuit theme are read and discussed.

D.Fall Overnight before Faculty Retreat and Spring Province Retreat

In late fall, new teachers and staff participate in a longer, more relaxed evening meeting and overnight stay at the location for the Faculty Retreat which happens the next morning. In early spring, all new teachers and staff members from the Missouri and New Orleans Provinces gather for a three-day, two-night Ignatian retreat experience.

Years Two and Three: Ongoing Ignatian Formation

A.Individual Conferences

Assistant Principal for Mission has a one-on-one conference with each second year teacher/staff member early in the first semester of year two to addresses individual questions and concerns, support individual directions for growth and begin conversations about personal spiritual development and where some experience of the Exercises might fit into the next two years. Year three faculty and staff meet with the AP Mission early in the spring semester to discuss plans for the "Ignatian Project."

B.Ignatian Evenings

Two late afternoon gatherings begin with guided prayer and meditation followed by silent reflection, group discussion and faith sharing and ending with dinner. Key documents and articles introducing an Ignatian or Jesuit theme are read and discussed. Year 2-4 teachers are required to attend these evenings and all faculty and staff are invited.

C.An In-Depth Experience of "The Exercises"

Each faculty/staff member will be invited to consider undertaking some experience of "The Spiritual Exercises" during year two or three. Options include the 19th Annotation (the "Retreat In Daily Life"), an eight-day directed silent retreat or a three-day directed retreat, including the "Jesuit Colleagues Retreat" in Sedalia, Colorado. The school will cover the expenses for these experiences. Two years are built in for these experiences since the demands of scheduling may require plans to be made well in advance.

Year Four: Ignatian Project and Tenure Application Process

Ignatian Project

In addition to attending the two Ignatian Evenings, in year four teachers and staff propose an Ignatian Project to be completed before the end of the first semester of year five. This project will be based on the discussions in year two and three, will be somehow connected to the faculty member's work at the school and will emerge from his or her unique professional and personal circumstances. Making the trip to the annual "Ignatian Family Teach-In" in Washington, D.C. is one outstanding way a faculty member could satisfy this project. It might also include:

- Reading, study or research applied to an area of professional responsibility

- Designing a new formation program or approach to be used in a student activity or class

- Ongoing personal reflection, reading and journaling on a specific aspect of the faculty member's work

- A creative or instructional project to be shared with colleagues for the enrichment of the wider community.

The specifics of the project would be agreed upon with the AP Mission early in year four. A description of the project--whether in progress or just getting underway-- should be included in the "Tenure Request Letter" written in the spring of year four. A brief report on the project should be presented to the Principal for review before the Tenure Meeting in year five.

Programs for all Faculty and Staff

A.Faculty/Staff Retreats

These day-long retreats are scheduled twice per year, in fall and spring, and are required for all faculty and staff. Themes are chosen based upon core Catholic and Ignatian themes. Faculty participation is a hallmark of these days, in material support, in presentations and in group conversation. Ample time is set aside for private prayer and informal walking and conversation. Our days begin with Mass and end with Common Prayer.

B. Ignatian Evenings

See description above.

C. Jesuit Colleagues Retreat:

SLUH shares with the Province in covering expenses for faculty to travel to Sedalia for this experience.

D. Ignatian Family Teach-In:

Each year SLUH sends a delegation to this event in Washington D.C. It focuses especially on the peace and justice themes in our Ignatian tradition. Faculty expenses would be covered for this event.

E. Private and Parish Retreats

SLUH covers the cost for faculty making their own personal retreat locally. See the AP Mission for facilities and resources. Faculty are also encouraged to participate in Parish Retreats. Costs for these retreats will be covered and missing a day of class can be worked out as long as advance notice and subs are arranged.

F. 19th Annotation

On an individual basis, faculty members can seek a Jesuit from our community, or other Jesuits or directors if arrangements can be made to lead them through the Spiritual Exercises in this format.

G. Ignatian Identity Committee

A group of faculty volunteers to serve on this Advisory Committee chaired by the AP Mission and meets 4-6 times per year to address the Ignatian identity and mission of the school. This group may have faculty and staff faith formation as their focus as well as student, alumni, and parent programs. They may also address issues relating to the plant and facilities or the school's corporate policies and procedures. They can serve as a helpful sounding board for any individual or group wanting to reflect on how their program or initiative relates to the Catholic and Jesuit Mission of the school.

H. Evaluation and Professional Development Programs

Ignatian and spiritual formation can be built into the four-year evaluation and PDP cycle for all teachers and staff. The "SLUH Professional Standards" document that is used in the Evaluation Process makes many specific references to Ignatian identity and the need for ongoing spiritual formation. Based upon the circumstances of a particular faculty member, this area might become a focus of their Evaluation Plan orProfessional Development Plan.

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Last edited by Jesuit Virtual Learning Academy on Jun 27, 2012 11:14 am -0500.