Ms. Caroline Christie Honored with 2021 Patricia Hannon Ignatian Educator Award

On Friday, May 21, the Regis community honored Computer Science teacher Ms. Caroline Christie with the 2021 Patricia Hannon Ignatian Educator Award. Presented the award at this year’s Spring Convocation, Christie was recognized for her longtime service to Regis, dedication to the profession of teaching, and commitment to enriching the lives of students over her 16-year career. 

The Ignatian Educator Award is named after Mrs. Patricia Hannon, a longtime Chemistry teacher at Regis who touched the lives of many in her 23 years at the school. The recipient of the first faculty award in Regis’ history, Hannon passed away in 2005, and the annual award was then named after her to honor the legacy she left. This award recognizes a faculty member whose dedication to his or her students fosters a learning environment that is the model of Ignatian pedagogy.

“This year's recipient was nominated by several faculty members for this person's long, generous, and quiet service of our school community," said Regis Principal Fr. Anthony D. Andreassi, CO of Christie during Friday's remarks. “This educator possesses all the qualities of an ideal Ignatian educator, and shares those qualities regularly with students and faculty alike. Cura personalis animates the manner in which this teacher directs, encourages, challenges, and supports students both inside and outside the classroom."

A Native of South Africa, Christie joined the Regis faculty in 2005, and for 16 years has taught Computer Science to freshmen, sophomores, and seniors. A profound educator, Christie’s contributions to the Regis community extend beyond the classroom, playing an active role in Campus Ministry retreats, Schola (Regis’ Liturgical Music Society), the annual Sweet Potato Bake, and the Computer Club, where she has mentored students in robotics, cybersecurity, and programming since 2005. She is also the longest serving Freshman advisor currently at Regis, spending several years guiding first-year Regians through the transition into high school and providing them the tools needed to find success as students and as people. 

“To me it is a validation of my philosophy of life and work,” said Christie on what it means to earn this year’s award. “Modeling the Men for Others behavior one expects from the students is one important reason for my success. I would also attribute my success to all the positive role models I was able to learn from during my lifetime. Being a teacher at Regis is a wonderful reward as it allows me to combine the variety of much of what I learned in my previous jobs both teaching in schools in South Africa and Computer Training in the business world in the USA.  Teaching at Regis allows me to enjoy many of the things that I love in one place – my Catholic faith, teaching, teaching teenagers, music, and technology. I love the challenge of learning new things every day.”

A plaque honoring all winners of the Patricia Hannon Ignatian Educator Award is mounted in the 84th Street Foyer.