Page 37 - Priorities #60 2014-November/December

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“What makes me excited about coming to work each day is the sense of purpose of being at a place like the Priory,” says Al. He continued, “and that purpose is driven by the five Benedictine values.”
The Bay Area is awash with independent schools but what really sets the Priory apart is that everything we do arises from and is measured by the five Benedictine val- ues. Al believes one of the ways in which those values are translated is that all Priory employees, from maintenance staff to faculty (and everyone in-between) are teachers. “What I love about the Priory is that we are all teachers, one way or another.” He added, “and what I love about my job is that I get to welcome prospective parents and students. Admissions’ most important job is to help families feel at home in a very unique place as they enter the Priory experience.”
The Priory is situated in the heart of Silicon Valley’s hotbed of innovation, change, and growth. Al says he has seen tremendous growth as well within the school commu- nity, but that through all that growth, the Priory has remained “true to its Benedictine mission. I’m glad to have been offered the opportunity to be a part of it.” In addition, Al says, “ I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention having the privilege of raising my family on campus was special. It’s rare to have a job where the place you work offers you the opportunity to share that community with your family.”
When asked what Benedictine value he most identifies with Al says he can’t just choose one. He says, “The truth is, the five values are woven together and compli- ment each other. The magic is that the values are the glue that makes the Mission work.” It’s true, the values all work together for a synergy that is hard to find any- where else. You see it in the faces of the students and faculty, you see it in the hos- pitality of the kitchen staff and when you arrive at the Priory, you feel it when Al and his Admissions team welcome you. Al says that “hospitality is more than just a handshake, it’s welcoming someone into your life and that cannot be done without the integration of the other four values.” He added, "I enjoy the opportunity to meet with our parents throughout the world and bring the Priory message to prospective students in many countries."
Al has signed lots of admissions letters over the years, and he says, “Through it all, I’m hopeful my interactions were respectful and provided a sense of hope moving forward.”
ANNIVERSARIES
Al Zappelli
Director of Admissions, Gateway to Priory
by Sean McLain Brown photo by Jim Kirkland
Ask anyone at the Priory and they’ll likely say, Al Zappelli is always willing to lend a helping hand.
“Al Zappelli has crafted, with amazing success, an admissions program which enables people to see and understand what it means to receive a Priory education.”
—Fr. Martin
For more than 25 years, Al has dedicated his time, talent and treasure to the Priory community serving as former Director of Development and currently as Direc- tor of Admissions.