By Ian C. Beck ’12
The Roundup
A great education, an exceptional athletic program, many extra-curricular activities; all of these and more are contributing factors to why students come to Brophy.
But what is it that attracts teachers?
Brophy added six new faculty members this year: Ms. Lauren Karp, Ms. Maria Dominguez-Sullivan, Mr. John Taylor, Mr. Bosco Ho, SJ, Mr. Michael Knickrehm, SJ, and Mr. Eddie Cullen.
Ms. Karp teaches English, Ms. Maria Dominguez-Sullivan teaches Spanish, Mr. Taylor teaches Math, Mr. Ho teaches Religion, Mr. Knickrehm teaches Religion and works with Work Study and Mr. Cullen works in the Office of Faith and Justice and also teaches Religion.
“(It’s) known as a great Jesuit community,” Ms. Karp said.
Mr. Cullen and Ms. Karp both said that it seems that the new teachers are really enjoying the Brophy environment.
Statements like “great Jesuit school,” “great, the faculty, everyone’s been great,” “a lot of great people,” and “everyone’s been welcoming,” were used to describe Brophy in interviews with the new faculty.
“I sense an excitement on all of their parts for being here and for educating the boys here in a Jesuit context,” said Mr. Seamus Walsh, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction.
These new teachers are also getting involved in activities outside of class. For example, Mr. Cullen will be leading the sophomore Loyola Project this year.
“(This place) demands excellence in the classroom, it demands engagement with students outside the classroom,” Mr. Walsh said.
From English to mathematics, the new group of faculty teaches a wide variety of subjects and they all boast a wide variety of degrees. Four have graduate degrees.
Ms. Karp has her masters from Oregon State University in literature and culture.
Ms. Dominguez-Sullivan has a graduate degree in Spanish from Arizona State University.
Mr. Taylor has a degree from Yale and comes from the Teach for America program, a program that “we have had great success with,” Mr. Walsh said.
The additions of Mr. Ho and Mr. Knickrehm bring new Jesuits to the school after the departures of Fr. Sam Renna, SJ, Fr. Jim Flynn, SJ, and Mr. Martin Lopez, SJ, along with the death of Fr. John Becker, SJ.
“It’s great to have an added Jesuit presence, a young, animated Jesuit presence,” Mr. Walsh said.
