The SLUH faculty is one of the most driven and knowledgeable bodies of educators in the state, but just like the student body they teach, they must complete a lengthy educational process during their own journey at the school. The program by which this orientation happens is known as the New Ignatian Educators (NIE). 

Assistant Principal for Mission Jim Linhares is the main coordinator for the NIE and the process of introducing the new teachers to SLUH and helping them throughout their first few years, which is essential to the school’s identity. 

“We believe that being an excellent teacher at St. Louis U. High is particular to St. Louis 

U. High,” said Assistant Principal for Academics Kevin Foy. “We want to make sure that everybody who's teaching here understands, as well as we can put it forth, what it means to be a great teacher here.”

The transition to SLUH for educators is a big one and requires them to adapt to the ways of SLUH and learn about the teaching styles of a Jesuit high school.

“So, (NIE covers) everything from the Catholic faith to the Jesuit order to St. Ignatius to our unique approaches to prayer and to education. I can't give them (new educators) all that, but in that first year, I tried to give them some acquaintance with it. What I'm trying to do is to make sure they know ‘you're okay, we're with you,” said Linhares. 

Starting over the summer before the school year begins, the new teachers meet and begin to learn about SLUH. 

“The New Ignation Educators have a couple days of meetings in prep prior to when everybody else starts in the fall,” said Foy. “(We) did some prep work for all the new teachers about what teaching at SLUH is like. I talked about Canvas and PowerSchool and then we talked about our curriculum program and how all that stuff is going to go.” 

Not only do the new members meet for four days in the summer, but they have quarterly check-ups throughout the first year, and then multiple times over their next four years at SLUH. 

“It isn't a super ambitious first year, given they only have the four quarterly meetings, and the two retreats. It's not like I overload them; mostly what I want to do is make sure they're okay. And there's hospitality out there for them as they learn about this place. And then that journey kind of continues in years two, three and four,” said Linhares. 

Led by Linhares, the new faculty go through an academic training process that fosters their own individual goals and teaching styles into it.

“I'm also responsible for continuing to ring the bell to the departments and individuals and say ‘hey you know we're behind you, get out there and develop yourself,’” continued Linhares. “My office tries to create a culture in which people feel like they can (pursue their interests).”

All these adult formational procedures are vitally important to SLUH’s mission and further testify to the school’s academic prowess. Yet, the strong set of Ignatian values Linhares and his office work to infuse the faculty with makes their teacher initiation process something that is unique to SLUH.

 “The Jesuit charism is an important one, and it filters into everything we do, whether we're teaching theology or math or English or running our clubs and activities or coaching our sports,” said Foy. “All of those things need to be seen through the lens of what it means to be a Jesuit educator.” 

 The new faculty members become fully immersed in the Jesuit philosophy through retreats and personal meetings with Linhares, and the four-day orientation set up by the NIE. Through these events and encouragement to pray the Spiritual Exercises, new teachers come to see the values which define SLUH.