PEDRO MORALES
A proud New York native, Mr. Pedro Morales had enjoyed an international pro-basketball stint in 1980s Puerto Rico prior to returning to the Big Apple for the next chapter of his career. Little did he know that the next chapter would make him one of the longest-tenured Athletic Directors in the city ' s history. " I saw an ad in the Sunday New York Times for a part-time soccer position. I interviewed with a gentleman by the name of Tom Ryan- and the rest would be history."
The ethos of sportsmanship is intrinsic to the Athletics pillar at Saint David ' s and over the past five decades, Pedro Morales has helped lead and define how the athletics program is essential to the Saint David ' s experience. " I like to say that we teach character through sports, how to be resilient, how to fight back when things aren ' t going well, how to handle both victory— and defeat, how to be humble," Morales proudly shared. " When you build personal relationships in the classroom and on the court, it reinforces to our boys that they belong and are constantly being seen and heard. We also hold the belief that we can improve each day together— and the more you put into it, the more you ' ll get out of it; these are key life lessons as well." Learning, teaching, and coaching work hand-in-hand for Morales.
In year 39 at East 89th Street, he has also continued to reflect on refining his own teaching techniques, " Being involved with TBI, IDC, these opportunities have afforded space for my own growth as an educator and as a person. Saint David ' s faculty and staff are constantly improving, incorporating best practices- and that ' s essential to the direction for our growth- today, and in the future."
JIM BARBIERI
The year was 1986, Mr. Jim Barbieri was a recent college graduate, a French major, in fact; working for an advertising agency and was on an entirely different career course- until a professional tip was passed to him through a friend of Michael Imbelli.“ I had heard there was a mid-year need for an Upper School French teacher position, on the Upper East Side. I was hired just before Christmas and started in January, 1987.” Two years later, he assumed responsibility for the seventh grade homeroom; and soon after would see both history and religion duties added to his portfolio, culminating as Religion Chair.
Nearly 40 years later, he has seen significant growth- both literally and figuratively— within the walls of East 89th.“ The most recent expansion has made all the difference in the life of the school,” he shared.“ The Chapel remains a constant and our traditions remain. That is Saint David’ s.” When asked to pinpoint Saint David’ s identity, Barbieri holds a twinkle in his eye and a calm affirming tone with his response,“ The mission is meaningful, the spiritual component and sense of community helps in defining the experience- and that makes for a powerful force that can’ t be replicated.”
Five decades after being hired, Barbieri finds that it is the same core principles that propel Saint David’ s magic.“ The school has always been mission-driven, and that will never change. From the class plays to the Chapel talks to the collegiality among faculty and staff, it’ s specific to Saint David’ s- and that’ s why people want to be here.”
38 • Saint David’ s Magazine • 75th Anniversary Edition