New Teacher: Katrina Garcia-Eveloff, Theology

This year BSM welcomes back Katrina Garcia-Eveloff as a full time theology teacher. After getting to know BSM as a long-term substitute last year, Garcia-Eveloff is excited to join the community full-time.

A graduate of Xavier College Preparatory school, an all girls Catholic high school located in Phoenix, Arizona, Garcia-Eveloff was inspired to study theology by classes she took during high school. Garcia-Eveloff received a bachelor’s degree in religion from Harvard University and eventually earned a masters degree in religion as well. Her first teaching experience was leading seminar classes such as religious dimensions and human experience as a graduate student. “I have really fond memories of my service learning experience in high school…So similarly, I’m hoping that at least some of my students have as meaningful of experiences as I did,” Garcia-Eveloff said.

As a long-term substitute last year, Garcia-Eveloff has a small advantage going into this year. “It’s just fun to be able to get to know the students and I’m really lucky that last year, I had a lot of sophomores who are this year’s juniors…I feel like I have a little bit of a head start on knowing names and personalities and that relationship building so I’m really enjoying that aspect,” Garcia-Eveloff said

Hoping to bring a fresh perspective to the theology department, Garcia-Eveloff wants to make this year a meaningful and relevant experience for her students. “I like the community here and I love talking about religion and what it means to be human in the presence of God…this is a place that appreciates and makes time for those conversations, and I enjoy having them with students,” Garcia-Eveloff said.

Garcia-Eveloff teaches the Discipleship in Society class, where students are involved in the community through service. “It’s an exciting time in the theology department because there are a lot of new faces… I enjoy my colleagues. I enjoy the students. It’s lovely to be in the classroom… Peg Hodapp is the other discipleship teacher and we’re working really well together to plan the curriculum,” Garcia-Eveloff said.