Faculty Member Expectations

If applying for a teaching position, please read the Faculty Member Expectations below.

1. General Expectations of Faculty Members at Saint Ignatius

Saint Ignatius seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty members who are committed to model and teach the school's Catholic and Jesuit values. Consistent with the school's mission statement, faculty members are expected to continuously develop their:

INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCE by keeping current with their subject area and with their knowledge of the latest research and best practices regarding teaching, learning, and effective schools.

OPENNESS TO GROWTH by reading, by participating in workshops, seminars, conventions and the like, by enthusiastically participating in the school's staff development and school improvement efforts, and by continually refining/expanding their instructional, interpersonal relationship, and ministerial repertoires.

SPIRITUAL LIFE by regularly praying and participating in liturgies, by participating in retreats and/or spiritual direction, and by doing spiritual reading.

CAPACITY FOR LOVING by always showing respect and concern for others, by working cooperatively and collaboratively with others, and by volunteering to help the school keep all of its co-curricular programs and activities staffed.

COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS by clearly communicating and upholding high expectations for student learning and appropriate behavior, by consistently and fairly enforcing the school's rules, and by openly supporting the school's service learning program.

2. Ethics and Professional Boundaries

In keeping with SICP's mission, it is vital that all employees consistently maintain the highest ethical standards. Employees must not engage in activities which conflict with the stated policies of Saint Ignatius College Prep, which create even the appearance of impropriety or which impede their job performance at Saint Ignatius College Prep. Such activities include, but are not limited to, the improper payment or receipt of gifts or other improper conduct resulting in private advantage, employment outside Saint Ignatius College Prep that conflicts with Saint Ignatius College Prep's mission or negatively affects job performance, and the disclosure of confidential information without proper authorization. All employees are also expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries in their relationships with students and exercise professional discretion when sharing personal information.

3. Job Responsibilities of Teachers

All teachers are expected to:

Curriculum and Instructional Responsibilities

Teach their assigned load of classes and maintain classroom discipline.

Implement the approved departmental curriculum.

Maintain a positive learning environment in the classroom.

Develop fair and consistent grading procedures in accordance with guidelines of the school and the department.

Assign meaningful homework and hold students accountable for it.

Develop and promptly grade and return tests, quizzes and/or other evaluative instruments that measure students' learning progress.

Provide assistance for students having difficulties and/or needing extra time.

General Supervision Responsibilities

Check attendance in each class and maintain good order and cleanliness in the classrooms.

Prefect or substitute on a daily basis as assigned.

Supervise a homeroom as assigned.

Enforce school policies regarding student behavior.

Follow school procedures and assume appropriate responsibility during fire and tornado drills, emergencies etc.

Communication/Coordination Responsibilities

Turn in grades according to the calendared schedule.

Keep parents informed of student's progress in accordance with the guidelines and procedures established by the principal's office.

Check voice mail and e-mail every day and return parent phone calls and/or e-mails within a 24 to 48 hour period.

Inform counselors when students have extraordinary difficulties and cooperate with counselors' requests for information.

Attend all academic functions of the school: Faculty Meetings, Parent Conferences, Parent Nights, In-service days, Commencement, Faculty Retreat, Open House and other "all school" occasions as required by the principal.

Maintain a professional, positive and constructive relationship with colleagues, administrators and staff.

Other Responsibilities

Foster the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the school.

Continue his/her professional development by participating in classes, lectures, workshops, conferences and the like on a regular basis

Respect and care for the school's equipment e.g. photocopy machines, computers, AV equipment, etc.

Actively support the spiritual formation mission of the school.

Contribute to the school's cocurricular program by providing service as needed.

Cooperate with and follow all of the policies and procedures contained in this handbook.

4. Master's Degree Requirements

It is the policy of Saint Ignatius College Prep to release a teacher from service after the fifth year if a master's degree has not been obtained.

A year's extension may be granted in extraordinary circumstances (e.g. where there has been serious illness, the birth of a child, a family's extended emergency, exceptional commitment to the school and its programs, etc.), at the sole discretion of the principal. If a person has not achieved a master's degree by this time, he/she will be released from service.

It is the responsibility of the faculty member to review the master's degree he/she is pursuing with the principal of the school. The principal has the sole discretion to approve this program as appropriate for the teacher's work and for the tenure track. Any such approval must be in writing. A faculty member without the appropriate master's degree and certification in the subject he/she is teaching will not be continued.

Increase of salary due to the attainment of a master's degree or National Board Certification will be effective on the first pay period following the attainment of the national certificate or degree on the condition, however, that the faculty member notifies the principal in writing one semester prior to anticipated completion of the certificate or degree requirements.