A Cristo Rey Teacher's Story
The soul of any school is comprised of its teachers. At Cristo Rey schools it’s no different.
As we prepare our school building site (more on that coming soon!), this month is about what sets Cristo Rey teachers apart.
Amanda Burke was a teacher at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago for 4 years, and she knows why the CR model works, and it starts with the students, their families, and their desire for more.
“Many of my students would tell you that if they hadn't attended Cristo Rey, they probably would have ended up in the wrong crowd at the public school, may have dropped out of high school, and very likely would not have attended college. [Their] families knew that sending their child to CR meant they would have a safe environment for their child to grow and develop ... [and were] well aware of all the opportunities that the school provided for
them and did not take it for granted.”
Every day, Amanda saw the CR model in action, with school staff in the Corporate Work Study office making sure to match students with jobs that fit their personalities and unique
strengths. But it went beyond that.
She says that college counselors helped students with the college application process, and even added a staffer to follow up with CR alumni to help them with any roadblocks they might hit during their time at college, to make sure they had support to stay in
school and complete their degrees.
As for what she would want parents of prospective CR students to know, Amanda says there are plenty of skills that students carry with them. Not only are they prepared academically for college, but also for life beyond it.
“I knew my students weren't just going to go into the working world to earn money, they are working to give their families a better life and make their community and this world a better
place."
“As St. Ignatius once said, students graduate from Cristo Rey and ‘go forth and set the world on fire.’ I could not be more proud of my students from CRJHS. Viva Cristo Rey!”
