I just finished my first year working at Nativity and it was great. I have always joked about coming back to Nativity to work while I was in high school and college but never thought it would actually happen. Nativity holds a special place in my heart and forever on my body since 2 years ago, when I decided to get the Nativity logo tattooed on me.
Working as the Director of High School Placement and Support brought back many memories of my time at Nativity. From going class to class through all the different stairways in the All Saints church, having recess in the parking lot, dodgeball games during gym class, basketball championships, going to all the high school visits as an 8thgrader and finally graduating and coming back to Nativity after school to see everyone.
This past school year working at Nativity was special for me. Instead of sitting at the desks I once sat in fourteen years ago, I was teaching 7th and 8th graders and completing high school applications and recommendations for my students. Seeing the Espinal class (8th grade) receive their high school acceptances and watching them get their diplomas was something I will not forget. This year I also had the privilege of coaching the 7thand 8th grade basketball team, which was great to beat the other schools not only as a player but now a coach. This year’s Nativity team was truly a family and definitely left a mark on the league that nobody will forget.
My role at Nativity also gave me the opportunity to reconnect and get in contact with many friends and former classmates whom I have not seen or spoken to in years. Seeing how everyone is doing and appreciating the successes of my peers has been wonderful to see and talk about. One thing that I quickly learned and took from Nativity as a student was that the Nativity family is forever. From your classmates past, present and future, to the teachers and faculty in the building: we are all family. After transitioning from a student to faculty member, I find that to still be true.
The Nativity Worcester connection is forever. We are all family. NSW.
If you have any questions or want to get involved in future graduate discussions, mentorships or events please don’t hesitate to contact me at jmelendez@nativityworcester.org