By Dr. Matt Barmore, Seattle Prep Principal
Feeding the Soul St. Ignatius was a big believer in Psalm 139, which states, “It was You who formed my inward parts; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” Ignatius believed that God places in each of us a particular plan, a desire, an inclination and that when we act on that desire, we find happiness – not the short-term, fleeting happiness associated with a fun event or a good meal, but the kind of happiness that makes us feel fulfilled. Nowhere has the notion that God has a plan for me been clearer than in my call to be a teacher. I entered college knowing that I wanted to teach. I don’t know how or why (perhaps it was because I’d had some wonderful teachers when I was in high school), but I knew I wanted to be a teacher. At 18, I didn’t think much about it; but I pursued my goal and it ‘felt right’ throughout my college days and into my teaching career. Twice I’ve veered away from that call to teach – though admittedly not far away. I was first invited to be the principal at Seattle Prep in 1997. After eight years, I returned to teaching full time until, four years ago, I again returned to the principal’s office. In both instances, I was still enjoying teaching, but I felt an inclination to move into school leadership. Especially in my second stint as principal, I had a very real sense of promoting Jesuit education and the Ignatian identity of the school. I have been gratified by my work as principal and felt satisfaction in the work I’ve been involved with in my 12 years in the office. That said, I have continuously been drawn back to the classroom; specifically, back to the daily interaction with students. At first, I satisfied that desire by teaching a class while serving as principal, and that was great. But it didn’t lead to that internal peace that Ignatius speaks of when he talks about finding and responding to God’s call. So, after my first eight years as principal, I returned to the classroom full time, and again at the end of this year, I’ll go back to the classroom full-time. In some ways, my decision to leave the principal’s office is a difficult one. The school is doing well, and there’s a sense of accomplishment in being part of a leadership team of a strong school. But the reality is that this is a rather easy decision for me. I love teaching. My spirit, my soul, is fed by working with students. So I have an incredible sense of peace, comfort, and affirmation in knowing that I will once again be doing the thing that I was created to do. There’s a great sense of contentment in that feeling, a sense of rightness, and I look forward to working with students on a daily basis. And I hope that at least part of what I do as a teacher at a Jesuit school is to help students learn to continually ask, “What am I being called to do with the talents I’ve been given?” “What kind of work brings me a sense of fulfillment and enables me to recognize and honor God’s presence in my life?” Because at its core, that’s what Jesuit education invites us to ask, and in answering these questions that we discover what it is we are called to do.
Update! Seattle Prep is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Maureen Reid as Principal. Look for her introduction in the Fall issue of Panther Tracks.
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Spring 2012