List of 14 members.

• 

  Mr.MatthewFlynn

  Social Studies Teacher/Department Chair

  Bio

  When you walk into the social studies office, you can’t miss a pile of hockey pucks on Department Chair Matthew Flynn’s desk. A superfan of Saint Ignatius College Prep Hockey, Flynn goes to all the games. He says he respects the players’ leadership skills on and off the ice and their grit.

  
  

  “It’s an easy group to root for,” explained Flynn, “It’s about trying to encourage the kids as best I can, even beyond the classroom.”

  
  

  In the classroom, Mr. Flynn works to cultivate a shared excitement for the material he’s teaching - from the Enlightenment and World War II (his favorite historic periods) to modern-day Iran and Russia.

  
  

  Mr. Flynn found his way to teaching after exploring a range of professional options including government and law. He majored in political science and interned in Washington DC for a member of Congress. He thought that “was interesting and super cool,” but he didn’t love it the way he loved school and teaching.

  
  

  Both leave students with information and skills to last a lifetime. At Saint Ignatius, writing tops that list. “If you come into our department at any moment someone’s going to be talking about writing,” said Mr. Flynn “essays they’re creating, how they’re teaching writing, historical writing, thesis statements, evidence use…We really drive that home.”

  
  

  He calls the emphasis on the written word a hallmark of the Saint Ignatius Social Studies Department, one he’s happy to share over the course of each year with students in each of his classes. “Every class has its own community,” he said. It’s something he champions!
• 

  Fr.AaronBohr, S.J.

  Chinese & Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  Fr. Aaron Bohr, S.J., is something of a renaissance man. He teaches both Chinese Language and World History at Saint Ignatius College Prep, making him one of the few teachers with multiple specialities. But his academic knowledge and experience as a Jesuit go far beyond those two domains.

  Fr. Bohr, like all Jesuits, received advanced education in theology and philosophy. “Catholic theology and social teaching make their way into my classroom each and every day,” he shares. Fr. Bohr begins each class with a communal prayer, a reminder to his students that God is present at every moment of our lives.

  
  

  Fr. Bohr sees himself not just as a teacher, but as a mentor for the students. “The Jesuits across campus are here to help our students,” he shares. “I want my students to know that they can approach me with any personal or theological concerns that arise.”

  
  

  Fr. Bohr is especially passionate about teaching Chinese, the language with the most native speakers in the world. “My father is a retired Professor of Chinese History and my mother is ethnically Chinese,” he reflects. “For me, the Chinese language was a gateway that allowed me to access both my personal heritage and one of the richest and most fascinating cultures on the planet. I want to share that with my students.”
• 

  Mr.JohnChandler

  President & Social Studies Teacher
• 

  Mrs. HallieFahey

  Social Studies Teacher
• 

  Ms.DianeHaleas

  Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  When you walk into Diane Haleas’ classroom, you can’t miss one particularly celebrational photo. It shows the social studies teacher with some of her students from the Saint Ignatius Model United Nations. The smiles are ear-to-ear, and it captures what she calls one of her best moments in teaching: When SIMUN clinched the national title.
  “That feeling when they announced we won - I’ll never forget it. We did it the right way,” says Haleas, “The kids worked so hard. Everyone helped each other.”
  
  Haleas has lead SIMUN since 1999. She joined the teaching community here at Ignatius eleven years before that. Haleas first came to the Wolfpack after a friend of the family suggested she look into a “wonderful Catholic school…one of the best in the nation.” She did, and met Sr. Therese DeCanio, who Haleas describes as a wonderful department chair. DeCanio was searching for an AP Comparative Politics teacher which happened to be Haleas' specialty. It was one of those matches made in heaven. Ever since, Haleas has shared her love of the world with her students. She’s been known to dress up as the Queen of England with the expectation her class members represent the British political parties. It’s interactive learning at its finest and most fun. One of her big goals is to always build relationships to show students the value in that.
  
  On teaching, she says she brings patience and understanding, and has learned every student brings something to the mix. Haleas sums up what she gets in return: “It gives me life."
• 

  Mr.WillJones

  Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  Mr. Will Jones has a poster inside his classroom that he and his fellow Social Studies teachers created: The Ten Obligations for Responsible Citizenship. “We want students to leave Saint Ignatius engaged, accountable citizens,” he shares. “Learning how to effectively engage in democracy is integrated into the curriculum of our department.”

  
  

  One of the Obligations is to “be informed” about the history and politics of the country. Mr. Jones helps fulfill this goal with his American Studies class, a sophomore history requirement run in conjunction with the English department. “The idea with American Studies is to cover a period of history from different disciplines,” he says. “I teach the history, and my colleague in the English department will teach a fictional text of the era to deepen the student’s understanding.”

  
  

  Before moving to Chicago, Mr. Jones taught at a Catholic school in Nottingham, England. This experience gave him the insight that he wanted to work in a faith-based, mission-driven school, like Saint Ignatius. “Our faith and mission are woven into our academic culture,” he explains. “Both inside and outside the classroom, we are building a community centered around faith.”

  
  

  If there is one thing Mr. Jones hopes his students will take from his class, it is a lifelong appreciation and interest in history. “The best compliment that I can receive from a former student is for them to say to me years later, ‘Mr. Jones, I still love to learn about history.’”
• 

  Ms.JaneLennon

  Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  “I loved history as a high school student,” shares Ms. Jane Lennon. “However, I found the way we learned history to be a little bit dull.” It wasn’t until Ms. Lennon was an undergraduate student at Fordham University when history began to come to life. “I took a class about the social history of ancient Greece,” she shares. “It was the most fascinating subject, and I realized that history is basically glorified gossip.”

  Ms. Lennon followed her passion and earned her Master’s in Secondary Education at Seton Hall University and her Master’s in American History at Fordham. She taught at Catholic high schools in The Bronx and New Jersey before returning to Chicago to teach history at Saint Ignatius College Prep.

  
  

  Out of the classroom, Ms. Lennon is an assistant coach for Ethics Bowl and the moderator of Fashion Club. “Fashion Club is a unique community for students passionate about how to express themselves through clothing,” she says. “We swap ideas, discuss design trends and focus on sustainability in fashion.”

  
  

  In the classroom, Ms. Lennon prioritizes the action of learning history. “There is a difference between learning history and doing history,” she explains. “I want to make the students become historians themselves.” Students in her class, for example, are challenged to interpret primary source documents, engage in discussion groups and find connections between historical themes and current events.

  
  

  But no matter what they’re doing, students can expect energy and dramatics in Ms. Lennon’s history classes. “My teaching has always had a flair for theatrics,” she says. “I want to bring the history to life, to enliven the students and make them see how vivid and important these stories truly are.”
• 

  Mr.NathanMcPherson

  Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  More than a decade ago, social studies teacher Nathan McPherson was driving down Roosevelt Road with his wife when they spotted Saint Ignatius College Prep. In awe of the architecture, they stopped to explore the campus. Inspired, Mr. McPherson, who was a teacher at another school, did a little homework.

  
  

  “Turned out my wife’s grandfather had actually graduated in 1939 from Ignatius, and he had taken the train from Elmhurst every day in the ‘30s, so there was this family connection,” he says, “and it all kind of fit in.”

  
  

  Flash forward, and Mr. McPherson is already twelve years into his work with the Wolfpack. It is the place he wants to teach because he loves “the culture, the community and the ability to bring faith into the classroom.”

  
  

  Always endeavoring to engage his students in high level, complex discussions that they approach together, Mr. McPherson channels his own educational experience. He says, “My sophomore year of high school, my AP U.S. History teacher motivated me to work in a way I never had. It was the first time I took ownership over my education, seeing it as a choice rather than something that was expected.”

  
  

  It’s why Mr. McPherson highlights attitude and perspective in his classes. He also works to create a culture in which students understand “if you walk out with more questions than answers, this has been successful. Any good idea should be able to handle rigorous analysis from other perspectives.”

  
  

  Whether it’s in Ethics Bowl or one of his social studies classes, Mr. McPherson says the result is a thoughtful level of discourse with his students that he finds inspiring. He also has kudos for his colleagues.

  
  

  “I’m continually surprised and encouraged by their level of care for their students, by the quality of thought and the preparation they put into their activities, their lessons, their willingness to share,” says McPherson, “There’s such a great collaborative atmosphere among the colleagues, that I really enjoy about working here!”
• 

  Dr.MatthewMillerPh.D.

  Social Studies Teacher
• 

  Mr.MattMonroe

  Social Studies Teacher, Head Boys Basketball Coach, Admissions Associate

  Bio

  Before he wanted to be a teacher, Matt Monroe dreamed of being a coach.
  
  

  “I’ve wanted to coach since I was eight years old,” says Monroe. “My dad was the basketball coach at my junior high school, and as a first grader, I’d work the clock at his games.”
  
  

  Following in his father’s footsteps, Monroe started coaching his senior year of high school.
  
  

  “I fell in love with the coaching aspect, but also the teaching part,” says Monroe. “So when I got to college, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine all three: My love for coaching, my love for teaching and my love for history.”
  
  

  After graduating, Monroe launched his career at a nearby high school, where he shared his passion for history and served as an assistant basketball coach.
  
  

  Playing against Saint Ignatius College Prep is ultimately what led him to the position he holds now.
  
  

  “I would see how beautiful the building was and how welcoming the people were,” says Monroe. “I wanted to be a head coach, and I had a list of schools I wanted to be at. Saint Ignatius was always my number one.”
  
  

  He continues, “Every single moment I’ve been here, every person I’ve interacted with and all my experiences have only reaffirmed my original desire to be here. It’s such a special place.”
  
  

  Monroe hopes his students leave the classroom with a feeling that they’re cared for. He wants them to know that he’s not only invested in their academic success but in them as people.
  
  

  His advice to students: Make sure you always live with love and pursue something you’re passionate about.
• 

  Mr.JoshMorrow

  Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  “I put that question before God, and I realized that I was being called to teach,” says Mr. Josh Morrow, reflecting on what made him want to be a teacher. Nineteen years later, and Mr. Morrow has seen and done a lot at Saint Ignatius College Prep. He’s coached soccer, served as a Kairos mentor, taught an array of Social Studies classes and spearheaded the implementation of psychology classes.

  
  

  “What I love about our Social Studies department is that we have such a diverse range of electives for students to learn from,” he shares. “With psychology, we can understand human behavior and thought processes. With history, we can see how that behavior guided individuals and shaped the world we live in. There is such value in the crossover of disciplines.”

  
  

  Mr. Morrow, like many other teachers at Saint Ignatius, comes from a Jesuit background, having graduated from Loyola Academy and later Marquette University. “The reason why I love Saint Ignatius and Jesuit education so much is because we learn how to be Men and Women for and with Others,” he shares. “And to me, that is an excellent way to live your life.”
• 

  Mr.AdrianOryshkevych

  Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  During the summer months, Adrian Oryshkevych worked as a camp counselor.
  
  It was through this summer job that he discovered his passion for teaching.
  
  

  In school, Oryshkevych always gravitated towards his history classes. He loved the subject matter, as well as his professors. It was their teaching that ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in education.
  
  

  Oryshkevych’s wife Tanya led him to Saint Ignatius College Prep.
  
  

  “She wanted to move back to where she’s from, and I was happy to, as long as I found myself at a good Jesuit school,” says Oryshkevych.
  
  

  He continues, “The Jesuit school system is something I know very well. It’s something I believe in, and something I want to continue being a part of. Being in a mission-oriented school, like Saint Ignatius, is very important to me.”
  
  

  Oryshkevych hopes his students choose a career path that brings them genuine happiness, one that fulfills them and makes them feel as though they’re not working a day in their lives.
  
  

  He says, “I’m passionate about teaching, so I don’t look at it as a job. I look forward to getting up in the mornings and going to school...going to teach, interact and hang out with students and talk about whatever the topic is that day.”
  
  

  His advice for students: Find something you’re passionate about and run with it.
• 

  Mr.JamesOwens81

  Mathematics & Social Studies Teacher
• 

  Mr. ChristopherZuber

  Social Studies Teacher

  Bio

  Mr. Zuber’s unique family history made him interested in social studies. “I grew up in a Polish-speaking family in a Polish neighborhood in the London area,” he says. “Understanding why my family was there and why we worshiped at the church that we did sparked my interest in the nuances of history, politics and religion.”

  
  

  Mr. Zuber moved from the UK to Chicago in 2020. In doing so, he followed the steps of his Polish great-great-grandfather who likewise immigrated to Chicago in 1914. “Coming to Chicago - an area rich with Polish tradition - was such a meaningful step in understanding and following my family’s journey,” he says

  
  

  Mr. Zuber teaches World History, AP Comparative Government and Entrepreneurship in the Social Studies department. Students in Mr. Zuber’s class can expect an engaging and collaborative environment where learning is decidedly in their hands. “I try to put students in charge of their own learning,” he shares. “I see myself as a facilitator and the students as the ones who take responsibility, form connections and spearhead their own learning.”

  
  

  When he’s not teaching, you can find Mr. Zuber doing a wide range of activities across the Saint Ignatius campus. He coaches soccer and is the proctor for Slavic Club and Future Wolfpack Politicians, a club dedicated to building civic skills and sharing civil discussions about politics. “What I enjoy about extracurriculars is the chance to connect with students outside the classroom,” he says. “It’s rewarding to see their personalities and leadership skills come to life in a different setting.”