Brother James Butler, FSC is an educator with over thirty years of professional experience and recently stepped down as the Principal of Christian Brothers Academy – Lincroft, for his new position at La Salle College High School. He became Principal of Christian Brothers Academy in 2008 and, in addition to overseeing school operations, participated in the recent Project 50 Campaign at Christian Brothers Academy, which led to the construction of new academic facilities consisting of a library and technology center, main office suite, classrooms, and science labs.
Though his professional service in education has seen him teaching in the Holy Land and Australia, as well as ministries throughout the District of Eastern North America, Brother James is no stranger to La Salle College High School. In addition to his recent service to the Board of Trustees, his student teaching was done under the supervision of long-time La Salle faculty member Brother David Rogers, FSC.
A Brother for 47 years, Patrick Duffy’s educational service covers much of the Western hemisphere. From Cumberland and Baltimore, Maryland, to Washington, DC, and from countries like Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Bolivia, Br. Patrick literally and figuratively brings a world of experiences to his first official Presidential administrative role.
Brother Patrick most recently stepped down from his position earlier this year as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast Region. Brother Patrick was responsible for over 17,000 children and 643 teachers in 382 free primary schools. The excitement of teacher training, announcing the Gospel to the poor, managing budgets, fund raising, negotiating salary increases with the Ministry of Education and the construction of schools provided daily challenges.
Brother Thomas was born in Philadelphia and is a product of Catholic education in that city from a parish grade school to West Catholic High School and La Salle University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science Education.
He has been immersed in Lasallian education for 40 years since graduating from college in 1971. Most recently Brother Thomas was the President of St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., a position he held for 16 years.
As chief executive officer at St. John’s, he was responsible to the Board of Trustees and Board of Members for the execution of its policies, including enrollment, financial management, physical plant, curriculum, development and other matters that pertain to the well-being of the school. He also completed two capital campaigns totaling more than $30 million dollars, increased enrollment from 450 students to almost 1,100 and, in addition, increased the endowment by more than $30 million dollars.
Br. Richard Kestler, FSC, will bring his 52 years of experience as educator, administrator, and Brother of the Christian Schools to the Presidency at West Catholic. Br. Richard is no stranger at West, where he served as Principal from 1973-1979, and President from 1999-2005.
Br. Richard leaves his alma mater, La Salle College High School, after seven years as President. Brother Richard accepted the appointment, which was made official in late March by Brother Dennis Malloy, FSC, Visitor, along with Dr. Richard McCarron, Secretary of Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Beth Levos was recently hired by St. Raphael’s Academy as the Vice Principal for Academics. She is responsible for issues relating to programs of study, report cards, transcripts and academic policies. In her career, she has been a classroom teacher and school administrator for almost 20 years in the New York State public schools. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management/Marketing and Education from Siena College and Master of Business Administration from the College of St. Rose. She lives in Uxbridge, Massachusetts with her husband, Peter.
Don Mullikin comes to San Miguel School, with a mix of business, education, and fundraising experience along with strong ties to the Lasallian mission and traditions. Mullikin also has nearly two decades of executive, management, sales and marketing, organizational development, and strategic planning business experience in the technology sector. Most recently, Mullikin served as Director of Advancement as part of the School Leadership Team at De Marillac Academy in San Francisco. De Marillac is a school steeped in Lasallian and Vincentian traditions. Implementing the “San Miguel” model of education that is designed to break the cycle of poverty, San Miguel School, like De Marillac, provides a comprehensive, high quality Catholic education and specialized services to at-risk children. San Miguel School is committed to providing support, services, and opportunity to students as they progress through middle school, high school, college, and beyond.
On March 28, 2012, Mr. Peter Santanello, Principal Designate, announced the appointment of Sean Nunan as the third Academic Dean of Christian Brothers Academy. Mr. Nunan, a 1987 graduate of CBA, has been a valued and respected member of the faculty since 1991, and has served CBA well as a teacher of English, department chair, bookstore manager, and Middle States internal coordinator.
For the past 5 years, Nunan has served as the English Department Chair, and will continue to teach an English class as he transitions into his new role. Nunan credits an easy move into his new role to his predecessor, Peter Santello. “I’m lucky to follow Peter, and continue to work with him in CBA’s leadership. He has laid a clear foundation for me to follow as Academic Dean.” Nunan also considers it a great privilege to work with a staff he respects and admires. “CBA is a place that keeps you humble because you are surrounded by brilliant educators, many who have been here for over 30 years. It’s a great honor to be entrusted with leadership at this prestigious school.”
Michael O’Toole is an educator with more than three decades of professional experience who recently stepped down as Principal of Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, PA. Prior to joining Holy Ghost Prep, O’Toole spent thirty-one years as an administrator and teacher at La Salle College High School. He served as Vice President from 2000-2005, where he was responsible for oversight of school communications, admissions, financial aid, and diversity programs. He taught English at the school from 1974-2005, serving as the Department Chair for eight years. He also directed summer programs, academic technology, and writing programs and served as Chairman of the Steering Committee for the school’s Middle States Accreditation Review in 1996.
O’Toole is a 1968 graduate of La Salle College High School. He holds both an A.B. and M.A. in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. He was a Klingenstein Fellow in Independent School Leadership at Teachers College of Columbia University, where he also received a Masters degree in Education. Additionally, he participated in the inaugural Lasallian Social Justice Institute in the Southwest U.S. in 2004. His professional experience includes twenty-five years as a lecturer and instructor at Pennsylvania State University Abington and Temple University. He has served as a teacher in the Gifted Program at the University of Pennsylvania as well as a reader for the SAT Writing Program. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Face to Face, Inc., a human services organization located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia that provides meals, nurse-managed health care, legal and social services, computer training, creative arts studios, and children’s programming.
As an educator, Mr. Richard began his teaching career working as a high school history teacher and track coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Florida. After his tenure at Pope John Paul II H.S. Mr. Richard entered the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer and became a pilot. His desire to serve, and commitment to others, nurtured by his Catholic faith, was a constant throughout his Air Force career. In the Air Force, Dan Richard continued working as an educator and instructor at both the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy (West Point) where he taught and mentored future military leaders. Additionally, he is a proven combat pilot who fought in Operation Desert Storm (1992) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2001). After completing his military obligation Mr. Richard returned to New England and once again entered the classroom. During the past 6 years he worked at Woonsocket High School in Woonsocket, Rhode Island where he taught Air Force Junior ROTC and commanded the unit. The program grew to over 150 cadets and was highlighted by the Air Force as being in the top 10% of all Junior ROTC programs in the country.
A member of the CBA faculty since 1974, Santanello was appointed Associate Principal for Academic Affairs in 1982. In addition to teaching mathematics, he has spearheaded numerous initiatives to continuously update and enhance CBA’s academic curriculum, served as Student Council moderator, and represented the faculty to the Board of Trustees. It was at Santanello’s insistence, early in his tenure as Associate Principal, that CBA entered the evaluation process for the Blue Ribbon Schools Program, resulting in the Academy ’s national recognition as an Exemplary Private School. CBA was one of the first schools in the United States to be so recognized, with an award widely considered to be the highest distinction an American school can receive. Santanello has also led the school through several cycles of the comprehensive self-study and re-evaluation required regularly to renew CBA’s accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. CBA is one of a few schools recently selected by the Middle States Association to inaugurate a special re-accreditation process designed for outstanding schools.