Social justice has always been important to Saint Ignatius teacher Caitlin Lynch-Huggins. As a freshman theology student in Mrs. Moira Clark’s class at Magnificat High School, she realized the strong connection between social justice and theology. She noticed how deeply Mrs. Clark cared not only about Theology, but also her students. Mrs. Clark and other members of the faculty encouraged the young women to think and to ask questions. It was during these important developmental years that Lynch-Huggins was inspired to become a Theology teacher.
Lynch-Huggins is in her third year teaching at Saint Ignatius after spending 10 years on the faculty at Magnificat. She earned degrees in Theology and Counseling Psychology from Loyola College in Maryland (now called Loyola University Maryland). Social justice and theology were very closely connected in high school and college, and at Loyola, she was able to make Catholic Social Teaching connections to other academic areas and service opportunities, which she liked.
At Saint Ignatius, Lynch-Huggins teaches a Scripture course and a Christology course to freshmen and a Catholic Social Teaching course to seniors. “I enjoy working with the freshmen. They are so enjoyable. Although content-wise I enjoy Catholic Social Teaching with the seniors because they have experience doing service and are ready to distinguish between justice and charity,” says Lynch-Huggins.
Lynch-Huggins smiles when she starts talking about her colleagues. “I really like my department members. It’s a good mix of old and new staff. We offer different perspectives and opinions, and it's a nice experience for both teachers and students,” she says.
The Faculty Formation program also gets high praise from Lynch-Huggins. The program introduces faculty and staff to the Mission of the school and the Jesuit traditions. This comprehensive program begins during an employee’s first year.
Lynch-Huggins was excited about being involved in the formation program because she saw it as a way that the school’s administration was intentionally involving new employees in the larger Saint Ignatius community right away. It also allowed her to be a part of a smaller community within her cohort (also known as a formation group). She shares that she felt it was very important during that first year to spend time and reflection focused on the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP), which is an important part of the Saint Ignatius student education. The IPP comprises five elements: Context, Experience, Reflection, Action, and Evaluation.
Lynch-Huggins offers insight into the formation program “I don’t feel like I am being evaluated during faith formation. There is theology, but it is not theology class; it’s not just community building, but there is community building; there is guided conversation, but the conversation can also be free.”
Lynch-Huggins highlights the advantages of a Saint Ignatius education for young men. She notes: “With so many Jesuits on campus, there are plenty of opportunities for daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays in the Chapel. The Adoration experience is wonderful, featuring beautiful music in a prayerful, peaceful setting.”
When asked for advice for future Wildcat parents she says “As a parent, I would like to know that I am sending my child to a school where faith and reflection is important in everything they are doing,” she says. “Embracing faith happens not just in theology and campus ministry, but we see arts and athletic groups celebrating Mass together” Lynch-Huggins continues. She also reflects on the strong Chaplaincy program at Saint Ignatius. She is the Co-chaplain of the Harlequins theater group, with Assistant Principal for Academics Dave Sabol ’99.
Lynch-Huggins gives kudos to the leadership at Saint Ignatius, noting that she observes the teachers, administrators and department heads paying attention to how people are teaching and wanting to evolve to do what is best. What impressed her the first year was the work being done to address the curriculum and make sure that it is transformative. “Although Saint Ignatius has an outstanding reputation as a school, they are not satisfied with that. The administration is constantly pushing the leaders and students to be better. They make sure that the faculty is doing the work to make them the best educators possible. Students are encouraged to take chances, to pay attention to what is happening in the world, and respond to it,” Lynch-Huggins observes.
In addition to being a part of the Chaplaincy program at Saint Ignatius, Lynch-Huggins is also a producer for the Harlequins. This year she is a Research Fellow for the Center for Ignatian Pedagogy (CIP). She was drawn to the program because of the respect she has for Dr. Terra Caputo, Director of the CIP.
Read the full issue of the Fall Saint Ignatius magazine here!