At the end of this year Prep will be losing a few of faculty and staff members including current principal, Mrs. Reed. Although the prep community will be losing a great leader, we will be welcoming an accomplished and enthusiastic principal, Ms. Luby. She recently took the time to answer some of the most pressing questions that students and faculty wanted to know.

Tessa Winkelhake: Where are you from?

Erin Luby: I grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and currently live in Chicago.

TW: What’s your favorite part about working at a high school?

EL: There is great energy in high schools, with so many opportunities for teaching and learning both in and out of the classroom. I love working with high school students to help them grow as Men and Women for Others.

TW:What attracted you to Prep?

EL:I am attracted to Prep because it is a co-educational Catholic, Jesuit high school. The school mission speaks to me. I believe wholeheartedly in the “Grad at Grad” and the Jesuit educational philosophy. I also appreciate the school’s emphasis on community, diversity, service, and faith formation.

TW:Were you a teacher before you became a principal?

EL: Yes, I was an English teacher. Then I became Student Activities Director, which was a part-teaching and part-administrative role. After that I was Dean of Students for four years before moving to my current job – Assistant Principal for Student Services.

TW: Where did you go to college? What did you major in?

EL: I went to the University of Notre Dame and majored in American Studies and Computer Applications.

TW: What are you most looking forward to about working at Seattle Prep?

EL: I’ve heard great things about the school community – students, teachers, staff, parents – and I look forward to developing relationships with great people. I am excited to help “form discerning and transformational leaders,” as the school mission states, in a co-ed Catholic, Jesuit environment.

TW: What do you think the biggest change will be about moving to Seattle?

EL: I’m not sure. I need to experience the school, the city, and the region to be able to answer this well. I look forward to exploring Seattle and the Pacific Northwest first-hand. I know that living far away from friends and family in Chicago will be a significant change for me.

TW: What do you like about working in Jesuit schools?

EL: I am so grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to work in Jesuit schools. The emphasis on “cura personalis,” or care for the whole person, guides our work as educators. I appreciate that the “Grad at Grad” values– being open to growth, intellectually competent, religious/spiritually alive, loving, and committed to doing justice – are so well-integrated into all that we do in Jesuit schools.

TW: What is/ do you think the biggest difference between your current school and Seattle Prep?

EL: It’s difficult for me to answer this because I have not spent much time at Seattle Prep yet. Practically speaking, my current school is much bigger – about 1,400 students.

TW: What are you going to miss most about your current school?

EL: It will be hard for me to leave Saint Ignatius College Prep after 12 years at the school. It is a great place. I’ve developed wonderful relationships with colleagues, parents, students, and alums. I am so fortunate to work with intelligent and devoted colleagues and talented and well-rounded students every day.

TW: What do you want prep students to know about you?

EL: I look forward to getting to know you and seeing you around campus! Like you, I’m also a student. I’m doing doctoral work at Loyola University and will be working on my dissertation from Seattle. Though I’ve finished my classes, I will be researching and writing alongside of you. I’m also a big sports fan and will always love Chicago’s teams – the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, Blackhawks – as well as Notre Dame.

TW: Who is your role model?

EL: My parents are my role models. They are amazing.

TW: What was your favorite book you read in High School?

EL: To Kill a Mockingbird

TW: What’s your go to dance move?

EL: I’m not sure if it’s a “move,” but my favorite dance is salsa. I lived in Santiago, Chile for about a year and a half and got into salsa while I was living there.

TW: We have a tradition at prep called Olympic week where students and faculty compete in various events such as Jenga, Dance Central, Trike Racing, and Basketball. If you could invent a new Olympic week event, what would it be?

EL: I should preface by saying that I’ve been a Track coach for a long time, and I love coaching relays. I also love the show Survivor, in part because the challenges are so fun. I’d have to say it would be a Survivor-style relay race of some sort, possibly with obstacles and blindfolds.

TW: What do you like to do in your free time?

EL: I love traveling, reading, trying new restaurants, spending time with friends and family. I enjoy sports and the outdoors.

TW: What’s your favorite type of food?

EL: Italian

TW: Did you play any sports in high school or college?

EL: In high school I was on the Basketball, Cross Country, Track & Field and Volleyball teams. I competed in Cross Country and Track in college.

TW: Do you have any pets?

EL: No, I don’t have any pets.