This June , two of our master teachers will retire after a combined 58 years of exceptional service to Saint David ’ s School . Humanities Chair Nancy Iannicelli , with Saint David ’ s for 22 years , and Art Teacher Gary Kessler , marking his 36th year at the school , have inspired generations of our boys to see and appreciate beauty , create works of art and utility , and employ intellectual rigor in the pursuit of scholarship . We have been fortunate to count these dedicated educators among our exceptional faculty .
Under Ms . Iannicelli ’ s guidance , our graduating classes not only learned art history ; they also refined the analytical , rhetorical , and thinking skills essential for success in secondary school and beyond . Ms . Iannicelli recalls the day in 1999 when then-Headmaster Don Maiocco ( R . I . P .) presented her with the opportunity to teach humanities as “ a conversation that changed my life .” Mother to alumnus Morgan ’ 99 , her relationship with the school had begun 10 years earlier upon her son ’ s enrollment as a Pre-K ( at the time , Nursery ) student . Theirs was a committed Saint David ’ s family . Among her many volunteering roles , Nancy was Secretary of the Parents Association . In that capacity , she began the PA newsletter . Her husband , Tom Kelly ( R . I . P .), served for more than a decade as the school ’ s investment adviser .
While her previous career was in film production for an ad agency , the chance to teach humanities appealed to Ms . Iannicelli . Whether guiding her boys through their NBS Lectures , Via Fiorentina and Arco Projects or leading tours at The Met or in Rome , Assisi , and Florence , Nancy , who studied art and art history in Italy , brought her passion for those subjects to life . In addition to teaching and chairing humanities , she served as Chair of the History Department for a number of years . She also conducted lectures on art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for her fellow Saint David ’ s alumni parents .
When Mr . Kessler , a woodworking teacher and musician , interviewed for the woodworking teacher position at Saint David ’ s in 1985 , in addition to being drawn to the prospective opportunity , he was struck by the musicality at Saint David ’ s : his interview tour included seeing a rehearsal of a class play . A double bass player and guitarist , Gary felt an instantaneous musical and artistic connection . Indeed , throughout his years at the school , Mr . Kessler could frequently be found accompanying the Saint David ’ s Philharmonic Ensemble in concerts , or sharing his musical talent with the community during Lessons and Carols .
In his shop classes , Gary introduced Saint David ’ s boys in Grades Three through Eight to the special joys involved in crafting something out of wood , a material that cannot be molded per se . He engaged boys in the concrete process of planning , designing , and learning to join , hammer , drill , and use a lathe in order to build something . To this day , Mr . Kessler receives emails from graduates who note that even many years later , they have kept the benches , furniture , wagons , etc . that they crafted in his classes . In addition to woodworking , Gary taught math and physical science for a number of years , and counts among his favorite projects the STEAM Critters he developed for Seventh Grade boys during their week on Cape Cod . Under Gary ’ s leadership , the school added a natural drawing component and a program with Woods Hole scientists to the Cape Cod experience .
Ms . Iannicelli ’ s favorite aspect of Saint David ’ s is “ the way the mission statement is enacted on a daily basis .” She will miss this “ home away from home ;” her colleagues ; and , above all , the Eighth Grade boys who “ can be unbelievably intellectual and wonderfully goofy at the same time .” Mr . Kessler has loved working with the boys : “ It ’ s all about sharing ; when the boys appreciate what you are sharing , it is very gratifying .” He will miss this school , he says , that has always been supportive : “ Saint David ’ s has been beneath my wings from the start .”
We will miss Nancy and Gary , too . In their remarkable delivery of the aesthetic and the scholarly , their exploration of the relationship between form , function , and aesthetics , they leave a mission-focused imprint on the school — an indelible mark . We are grateful for Nancy ’ s and Gary ’ s service , and look forward to celebrating them in a special virtual way , along with Coach Fishman , Ms . Clark , Mr . Imbelli , and Mr . Kilkeary in June . Ut viri boni sint . M
From Dr . O ’ Halloran ’ s letter to the community , spring 2021 .
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