In His Words

by Jeff Mancabelli

It is difficult to articulate what the past 25 years have meant to me without starting with gratitude. Gratitude for the numerous invitations to grow as a person, an educator, and a leader, and gratitude for my family, colleagues, and the De La Salle Christian Brothers who supported me along this journey. In particular, I am grateful for my mentor and friend Br. Tom Gerrow, FSC.

I am fortunate to have served with four outstanding board chairs. My first chair was Al Merritt ’58 (who passed away too soon in 2013), Tom Frana ’65 (who after serving 10 years as a trustee, stepped in to replace Al), John Poole ’71 (who led SJC through the very challenging times of COVID-19), and current chair Pat Dunn ’03, a dear friend who is the right person to lead SJC through this transition in leadership.

When I interviewed for the position of assistant principal for academic affairs in 1999, I was a 29-year-old newlywed with a nine-month-old son. To move on from the institution where I had been for eight years was a big decision with many unknowns. However, my concerns quickly dissipated when I spoke to Sara Rodgers during my interview. Sara was the Math Department chair, celebrating her 20th anniversary at St. John’s. I asked her why she had stayed so long and speaking with great wisdom, she told me, “Wait until you get to know the students. Then you will understand.” She was absolutely right! The beauty of St. John’s is the students and the richness of the diversity they bring to the community.

I have often remarked that I have always been pleased when our students are asked to represent the school. I am so proud of them and even more proud of the alumni they become. For the past 14 years, I have worked with the alumni and witnessed firsthand how they give back to the school in so many ways and how they care for one another. The depth of their connection to the school and each other is inspiring.

At the core of the Lasallian educational philosophy is the relationship between the teacher and the student. I passionately believe St. John’s success is because of how the teachers and coaches establish these relationships. Great governance, leadership, facilities, and fundraising are needed to advance the mission, but the care for each individual student truly fulfills the mission.

Over the past 25 years, I have come to understand that the richness of St. John’s is grounded in its faithfulness to God, commitment to mission, and devotion to community. As I said in my installation remarks in 2010, “We are Catholic. We are Lasallian. We are St. John’s.” This is what we believe, and this is what gives us confidence that regardless of what the future holds, St. John’s College High School will be steadfast to the founder’s vision that we make a difference in the lives of the young people entrusted to our care.

It has been a great honor to serve this community and do my part to enhance the living and learning environment for the students and the teachers.

St. John Baptist de La Salle… Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts… Forever.