Eighth grader Ryan Naccour spends many of his unstructured blocks settled into one of the blue armchairs in the Office of Advancement.Whether he is doing homework, helping with a project, or chatting with the staff, he brings a sense of ease and belonging to the space. “When I was asked to be part of a student panel for Accepted Students Night, the staff in advancement were the first people I told. They were just as happy for me as my family was.”

That same level of care extends to his teachers as well. “My favorite thing about Xaverian is the involvement of the faculty and staff in our lives,” he says. “The teachers want you to succeed. They do not want you to just show up to a class and leave when the bell rings.They care about how you are doing.”

Ryan’s experience reflects something that has defined Xaverian for decades. Students consistently describe the adults in the building as mentors and role models who treat their work as a true vocation. One example of this can be seen in a yearbook dedication nomination submitted by Avery Kenney ’25 for his theology teacher, Mr. Joseph Sotelo. “He has inspired me to follow my passions in all aspects of life, whether it is music, cars, ultimate disc, or anything in between. His support in the classroom, on the field, and during Car Club meetings has changed the way I look at things.”

“Teaching at Xaverian has never been a job that ends when the bell rings,” says Principal Dr. Michael Nicholson, P ’29. “Our faculty and staff give their time, attention, and care to our students.They show up early, stay late, and walk with students in moments that truly matter. That level of dedication is the foundation of our mission.”

Xaverian’s commitment to investing in its educators is exceptional. More than half of the school’s annual budget is dedicated to attracting, retaining, and supporting highly qualified faculty and staff. The results speak for themselves. Xaverian enjoys a 96% retention rate, far above the national average of approximately 82%. Ninety-five percent of faculty and staff hold advanced degrees, including nine with doctorates and several more currently pursuing one. In the 2024- 2025 academic year, the school provided more than $106,000 in educational reimbursements and more than $36,000 in professional development funding.

Xaverian educators are frequently recognized on the regional and national stage. During the last several years, the school has received honors including the Boston Business Journal Best Places toWork designation, the FACTS Innovation Award, the NCEA Learn. Lead. Proclaim. Award, the ACAAP Rising Star Award, the Heart of the Arts Award, the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Year, and multiple MIAA Hall of Fame inductions.

One of the most meaningful signs of this ongoing impact is the number of graduates who return to Xaverian as educators. Nearly 30 alumni now serve as teachers, coaches, administrators, and staff members.Their decision to come back reflects the strength of their own experience as students and their desire to carry Xaverian’s mission forward. Mr. Jay Iannoni ’02 began teaching math and coaching at Xaverian during the 2014-2015 school year. “I had such a good experience in my freshman math class with Gerry Lambert ’88,” he says. “The thought that maybe I could be a teacher and have that kind of positive effect on my own students one day was always in the back of my mind.” 

Xaverian’s commitment to its faculty and staff is not a slogan. It is a strategic investment, a measurable priority, and the reason students like Ryan and Avery speak so passionately about the adults who guide them. As endowed funds grow and professional support expands, the school is ensuring that future students will learn from educators who are not only highly qualified, but deeply committed to helping each young man develop his gifts, grow in character, and prepare to contribute to an ever-evolving world. At Xaverian, teaching is more than a vocation. It is the foundation of everything that follows.

Photo 1: Mrs. Grace Maakaroun, P ’29 in Intro to Game Design

Photo 2: Assistant Cross Country Coach, Mr. David Palmieri ’93, P ’23

Photo 3: Mr. John Tassinari, moderator of Mechanics Club