"I Am St. Francis"
The Multi-Faceted Faculty/Staff Perspective: Five Questions for Religion Department Chair/Teacher (& Therapist!) Kristen Ras and Athletic Director (& Author!) Dan Hardwick
1. During your tenure at SFHS, describe your roles. (E.g. what have you taught, moderated, coached?)
Mr. Hardwick: Since coming to St. Francis High School in the 2011 school year, I have served as the Director of Athletics.
Ms. Ras: This is my sixteenth year at SFHS, and I am currently the Religion Department Chair and Pastoral Ministry Associate. In the past, I was the cheerleading coach.
2. The dedication to your current role at SFHS is exemplary. On top of the tremendous work you do for Spartan students, you have pursued additional career opportunities. Could you describe your recent accomplishments and why you chose to engage in this work?
Mr. Hardwick: I just had my first novel, The Cup, published by Atmosphere Press (shameless plug…available directly from Atmosphere Press or at Amazon Books). It’s a touching, nostalgic story of a childhood road hockey game on New Year’s Eve and the lovable characters that participated in it. I’ve wanted to write for decades now but just couldn’t get a project across the finish line. Then an odd thing happened…this particular story started to pester me and wouldn’t leave me alone until I finished it. I’m currently working on my second project.
Ms. Ras: After I completed my Masters in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) and became Department Chair in 2012, I felt called to continue my education, but in a new way. My work and research for my MAPS centered on the intersection of theology and mental health issues, so I continued that work by pursuing a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In order to finish my degree, I needed to complete an internship. Lo and behold, the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center (CDPCC) is in Carol Stream, just about 15 minutes away from SFHS! With support from both SFHS and CDPCC, I was able to complete my internship while teaching full time and maintaining my responsibilities as Department Chair and in Pastoral Ministry. After graduating in 2017 and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, I was hired as a part-time therapist at CDPCC. I now serve both communities and am currently studying in order to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
3. Why do you choose to teach/work at SFHS? What is the best part of your job?
Mr. Hardwick: I was asked by a former superintendent to apply here at SFHS and I’m very glad that I did. SFHS is quite simply the best private school in this area. I attribute this to the incredible, talented faculty, staff, and administrators we have working here! The best part of my job is constantly being amazed at how our students are performing and at what they are accomplishing. It’s very special to watch young teenagers come in as freshmen and leave as young adults when they graduate!
Ms. Ras: I have dreamt of being a teacher since I was ten years old, and I was drawn to theology after my experience at my Catholic high school. My journey to SFHS was a bit serendipitous, as I was planning to accept another teaching and coaching offer when SFHS called with the job opportunity, which I obviously ended up accepting! To be honest, my initial draw to SFHS was that it was coed – I previously taught at an all-girls school, and I wanted to expand my experience in a coed setting. After arriving at SFHS, I was struck by the sense of community and family, which mirrored my own high school experience. The best part of my job is working to cultivate this sense of community, as well as my time with the students. They are the reason I love being in the classroom, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be with them at this stage of their faith development.
4. Describe an experience that occurred recently (within the last year) that illustrates what you believe SFHS is all about.
Mr. Hardwick: During this school year, our Blue Crew has been doing such a wonderful job at all the athletic events, in not only attendance but in conducting themselves the right way. This has been a special year. There are many who have contributed to this. You all know who you are, and it would be great for me to take this opportunity to thank them personally for such a great year!
Ms. Ras: Time and time again, the senior Kairos retreat shows me who we are when we are at our best – with and for each other and as our authentic selves. I lead the girls’ retreat in September and January, and this year was very special because we were able to be together in a significant way after navigating the pandemic for the past two years.
5. What is one word you would use to describe your feeling toward St. Francis High School?
Mr. Hardwick: Excellence!
Ms. Ras: Dedicated.