New England
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November 19, 2021
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Thomas W. Carroll
Thomas W. Carroll, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Boston

 

“You’re learning about your faith, you’re learning to think, you’re learning to interact and to become passionate about the intellectual life,” Thomas W. Carroll, the superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Boston, told students at Thomas Aquinas College, New England, on Wednesday. “That will prepare you for any number of careers, particularly the ones I’m pitching to you today.”

Over the course of his talk in Dolben Auditorium, Mr. Carroll offered advice to students who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching, while also seeking to recruit some of them to work for the Archdiocese. “I tell people that if I were to do my life over again, this is the school I would try to get into,” he said. Catholic schools, particularly those within the Archdiocese of Boston, need TAC students who are firm in their faith and enthusiastic to share their gifts as teachers.

Before Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley appointed him as superintendent of Catholic schools, Mr. Carroll renovated and constructed countless schools, advocated on behalf of Catholic education, and helped raise significant scholarship funds. He also previously worked for New York Governor George Pataki as deputy director for regulatory reform and was president of the Invest in Education Foundation. In his current capacity, he oversees more than 100 schools and 30,000 students, and in three years he has helped to rehabilitate the foundation of Catholic education within the Archdiocese.

“We’re so impressed with the excellent work that Tom is doing in the Archdiocese of Boston, and we’re honored that he would come to campus to share his vision and recruit our students so enthusiastically,” said Dr. Paul J. O’Reilly, the College’s incoming president. “I hope and expect that TAC alumni will be part of this tremendous work of renewal in the coming years.”

The role of Catholic schools is vital to the life of the Church, Mr. Carroll advised students. “If people are not going to Catholic schools, within 20 years there will not be anybody in the pews,” he explained, encouraging would-be educators to help strengthen the faith of the next generation. “Our commitment to the Catholic Church is that we will, no matter what the cost is, find a way to educate your children and help guide them to sainthood.”