Mr. Brian Edel is now entering into his second year as principal of De La Salle. Given this fact, it felt appropriate to learn more about the way he runs the school, as well as about him personally.
Where is he from?
Mr. Edel is from New Prague, in southern Minnesota.
Where did he teach before De?
Mr. Edel has taught Western Culture in China, Women’s History and World History in New Zealand, and most recently worked at Saint Thomas Academy, first as dean of students, and then as principal.
What made him decide to work at De?
Mr. Edel stated that he has admired the community of De from afar for a long time, and was looking for a change in workplace. In his words, “I wanted to work somewhere that aligned more with my personal values.” Those personal values involve educating students by preparing them for the community they will be entering. “Being exposed to other cultures is something I value,” he said.
How did the changes to the A-Building come about?
Mr. Edel said that it was a part of a larger plan, detailed in a large book labeled “Master Campus Plan”. The plan, he said, was drawn up last year, with input from the staff, in order to “create a more collegiate experience,” as well as enhance learning opportunities for students.
People are concerned about the glass in the A-Building. What is his response?
As many with classes in the A-Building are aware, there are two main concerns pertaining to the glass walls: distractions and safety. As to the former, Mr. Edel believes that, given time, students will adjust to the distractions in the halls. As for the latter, he said that De La Salle will be shifting away from a lockdown model, and more towards an evacuation model, when dealing with threats inside the school.
What other changes to the building can be expected, and when?
As per the Master Campus Plan, in time the entire school will be renovated. The second floor of the A-Building, as well as the Media Center, seem to be next in the queue. The timetable, however, is less certain. The speed at which changes are made will most often come down to donor funding.
How was SmartPass decided upon, and how effective has it been?
Given how disorganized and loosely enforced the previous pass system was, Mr. Edel chose to replace it with SmartPass. While many students have been heard complaining about the system, Mr. Edel stated that the situation has improved much since last year.
What has caused the recent changes to the uniform policy?
Last year, both the logo and policy on tucked-in shirts were changed. This year, the latter was rolled back. Mr. Edel said that “our dress as a community should be reflective of the caliber institution we represent,” and that keeping shirts tucked in adds “a little more polish”. It was also decided that uniforms bearing the old logo could still be worn, allowing for less financial strain on families that would need to purchase new uniforms. Finally, the largest and most contested change, the removal of skirts from the uniforms. At the time this question was asked, Mr. Edel mentioned that he was about to go into a meeting discussing that very topic, leading to the logical conclusion that it may still be up in the air.
What is Mr. Edel like outside of De La Salle?
To end on a more lighthearted note, Mr. Edel enjoys many activities outside of De. He participates in many outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, and camping. He loves to travel, and most enjoyed his trips to Prague, in Czechia, New York City, Maine, and New Mexico. He is an enthusiast of barbecues, and is even in the process of restoring a food truck for use at competitions and events. He likes reading, mainly on sociology and history, and spends a lot of time with his three children and dog, a micro sheepadoodle named Charlie.
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