From Biology Major to English Teacher

• The only catch was that his position was part-time for just one year. So he broached the subject during his spring interview with Principal John Devlin.

I told John, "I'd like to stay here." We talked about salary. I had left Jesuit in December and I wanted that to count for a full year of experience. I told John, "You know the kind of work I do here, what kind of teacher I am." He said he needed to talk it over with Brother Ivy [the president].

• Dean left the interview in a state of anxiety to teach his eighth period class. He'd interviewed at Jesuit and was told they had a place for him if he chose to return. But he wanted to stay at Brother Martin.

I'll never forget that day. I told John I might have to consider other options. But I wanted to wait and see what he said. About five minutes before eighth period ended, John walked into the classroom. "We'll offer you that position. We'll count that year." I was totally relieved. They were going to give me what I asked for. That confirmed the fact that they had faith in me.

Songy had a major impact on the expansion of the English curriculum.

• Wanting the school to be competitive, Gene asked Dean and Tony Hartigan to develop and team teach an AP English course for seniors.
• Feeling good about what they accomplished, Dean proposed a junior level AP course in Language and Composition. As he did with the senior course, he attended summer seminars to learn what was demanded in AP courses.
• He became a reader for the College Board in AP English for the 1998-9 school year and continues to do so.

Dean eventually served nine years as English Department chair.

• By that point, Gene was principal and set Dean's primary goal as chair: Develop a comprehensive English curriculum from 8th through 12th grades.
• So Dean led the department in a multi-year process that culminated in syllabi for each level.
• Once that objective was achieved, he stepped down as chair but continues to teach four classes. For 2012-13 his schedule includes the junior AP course and three regular junior English classes.
• Dean was rewarded for his efforts with the Brother More Schaefer Faculty Award in 2003.

• It all began with a request by Student Services Director Nancy Autin to develop a club through which the African-American students could have a voice in school affairs.
• When Judy Stewart became Campus Minister, she enlarged the idea to include Social Justice and renamed the organization the Welcoming Diversity Team.
• The annual Brotherhood and Sisterhood Awards are an outgrowth of that initiative.
• That started Dean on a path that has led to greater involve ment with Campus Ministry.

I liked it because it allowed me to see students in a different way. I could share with them on a personal level.

• He worked with the current Campus Minister, Tom Baier, to redo the Senior Retreats.

We started having more practical talks with emphasis on the development of the student toward manhood. I read Fr. Richard Rohr's books and, with Tom's help, I redesigned the Senior Retreat. When I made a personal retreat, I got to meet Richard Rohr and asked him to autograph his book. I told him, "We pattern our Senior Retreat off of your philoso­phy." He replied, "I'm very honored." His message is down to earth, something kids can chew on and live by.

• Dean still loves English and takes his teaching very seriously. But he feels that, in Campus Ministry, I can do a different kind of teach­ing on a spiritual level.

That brings up the subject of retirement.

• Dean has no plan in that regard.

My father's 91 and still goes to work every day as a Mechani­cal Draftsman. He does it by hand - none of this computer stuff. He's still in control of all his faculties. He gets up every morning and drives himself across the bridge to work on the West Bank. My mother passed on twelve years ago so he lives in a house by himself. He washes his own car but gave up cutting the grass at 88. He's the one that gave me that work ethic. I know one day I'll have to give it all up. As long as they ask me to come back, I'd like to keep going as long as I can.

• Has he considered cutting down on the number of classes he teaches?

That hasn't entered my thought yet. I love four classes. It keeps me mentally alert just as exercise [swimming and biking] keeps me physically fit.

Personal note: It's daunting to write an article about a faculty member who's a reader for the AP English exams. I hope I done good, Dean.