Nativity School of Worcester Hires Principal

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Nativity School of Worcester, a private Jesuit Catholic inner-city middle school for boys living in Main South and other vulnerable neighborhoods of Worcester, has hired J. Michael Steele, an experienced educator and administrator, as principal.

Steele succeeds Alex Zequeira '90, who led the school since its founding in September 2003, and is now teaching at Belen Jesuit Preparatory in Miami, his alma mater, and managing a family business.

Steele is currently a teacher at Loyola High School in Detroit, where he has taught since 1996. While at Loyola, he developed the English department curriculum, implemented an innovative reading program, coordinated the summer mission service program, and directed the Loyola Work Program for students. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, teaching courses in secondary education methods and policies.

He is a graduate of Alabama State University and received an M.A. in education from Central Michigan University.

He is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English and the Jesuit Secondary Education Association, among other professional organizations.

"The Jesuit mission is grounded in the formation and education of the whole person - not only intellectually, but also emotionally, spiritually, and socially," Steele said. "Having worked in Jesuit education since 1996, I look forward to bringing what I’ve learned to the Nativity School, the boys, and their families."

Sponsored by the Society of Jesus in New England and the College of the Holy Cross, the Nativity School of Worcester (www.nativityworcester.org) offers a high quality education focused on academic, physical, social, moral and spiritual development to students from low-income urban families who would not otherwise have access to such an education. With only 15 students in each grade 5 through 7 (the school will add an eighth grade in 2006), the school is able to offer intensive instruction and attention, as well as extended day programming, evening study and tutoring, summer camp, and parental involvement. The school is modeled upon the Jesuit-based Nativity Network, which opened its first school in 1971 on the Lower East Side of New York City for students who could not afford private school education. Today, the network consists of 47 private, independent Catholic schools nationwide that promote values including respect for each person’s dignity and potential, a sense of responsibility to assist those in need, social justice and nonviolence.

Commenting on Steele’s appointment, Joanne G. McClatchy '79, executive director of the Nativity School, said: "J. Michael has the talent, experience and commitment to lead this school. He understands the academic, social and spiritual components central to the Nativity mission, and students and teachers alike are delighted to be working with him."

Steele is relocating to Worcester and will begin work in early July.