1.1 St. peter's prep - bleasdale

Thread: Religious

Subgroup: Group

Foci: first year faculty

Program Title: First year faculty end of year retreat

Contact Person/Office: Jane Bleasdale

Program Description: At the end of their first year faculty spend an overnight on retreat together with the director of faculty formation and a spiritual director.

Rationale: First year in teaching leaves little time or energy for reflection and evaluation. The focus of the retreat is to reflect in an Ignatian way on a first year faculty members experience.

Leadership: Director of Faculty Formation and Spiritual Director

Implementation: Faculty are relieved of their duties at Prep for the day, the overnight is optional. The retreat is included in the faculty formation budget

Processes and Resources: The original retreat was planned by the director of faculty formation with input from campus ministry, Jesuits and members of the Jesuit Collaborative. Much of the reflection questions are drawn from the resource: ‘How do I live Ignatian Pedagogy’, Xavier University

Finances: Faculty formation budget: $100 p.p.

Rewards: The retreat is held at a retreat house at the beach, the rewards are immediate. The space is restful and inspirational. The feedback has been positive in that it is a good way to tend the school year and prepare for the future. The examen includes concrete questions that require teachers to look for the desolation and consolation in their year. Builds esprit de corps !

Time (When/Length): Last Friday of school during senior exit day. Leaving after school on Thursday spending the evening with liturgy, fellowship and food. The retreat is a full day on Friday

Location (Space): Stella Maris retreat house, Long Branch, NJ

Accountability/Assessment: Formative evaluations, surveymonkey, reflections written in portfolios