Brother David is the Principal of Saint Anthony’s High School. He previously served as Principal of Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Brother David is a New York native and a member of the General Council of the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn. He holds numerous degrees in education and administration from Saint Francis College, Brooklyn; Saint John’s University; and Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Before becoming an administrator, Brother David taught American and World History at Saint Francis Prep (Fresh Meadows); Saint Joseph High School (Trumbull, Connecticut), and Saint John the Baptist (Saint Louis, Missouri). He then transferred to Notre Dame where he served as both a teacher and an administrator: “l loved my 20 years at Notre Dame. It is not just a school, but a family of Faith. I have been so blessed to have been such a small part of that family.”
In speaking to his faculty, Brother David noted his special devotion to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and how her mantra of “Be children of the Church” is so critical to him as an educator and administrator in Catholic Schools. “l believe every child deserves to be educated not just academically but spiritually and socially teachers have the responsibility to make our future the best by giving all the tools to their students.” Brother David also shared his thoughts on how it is “the lost child” who often needs extra special guidance and attention. “St. Anthony is the patron of the Lost and Found, so every teacher here must reach out and find that lost child and allow them to grow.”
His excitement for his new position was evident from his enthusiastic presentation to his faculty and students. He expressed interest in everything from getting to know his faculty, staff and students, to attending the robust schedule of extra-curricular events, to working on the continual development of the school’s academic curriculum. Coming to a school with a population of almost 2500 students, versus a school with a population of around 500 students might be a daunting prospect for some, but Brother David’s decades of experience and passion for Catholic education, combined with a warm and dynamic personality mean that great things are in store for the Friars of Saint Anthony’s High School. “It is wonderful to be back in New York but to be honest I am home anytime l am with students and teachers.”
