(COVINGTON, La.) — Roger Bacon, a new Religion IV teacher, was welcomed to campus this year to fill in after the departure of long-tenured teacher Phil Williams. Despite being new to campus, Bacon is not new to the area or Lasallian education.

“I was born and raised in St. Bernard,” Bacon said, “and I lived there until I was 13. I went to a Catholic elementary school, St. Robert Bellarmine, and then I went to Christian Brothers in City Park.”

After Hurricane Katrina, Bacon left the area. He moved to Texas and Mississippi before returning to Slidell and attended Jesuit High School. Bacon received a Bachelor’s degree in politics and theology from the Catholic University of America and a masters degree in Theological Studies from the Boston College of Theology and Ministry.

“Going to Mass, adoration, and the influence of the religion teachers there kind of led me to theology,” Bacon said. “So going from high school to college, I knew it was something I wanted to study, (but) not necessarily what I was going to do for a career.”

According to Bacon, a job at St. Paul’s was one that he did not want to pass up.

“I got a call from Joe Dickens in June saying they were looking for a teacher and, at that point, I had already graduated and was working a job at Boston College in I.T.,” Bacon said. “He asked me if it was something I would be willing to have a conversation about, and I said (yes).”

Bacon was attracted to SPS due to the strong Lasallian aspect of the school, something he was already familiar with. He also liked that St. Paul’s had much in common with Jesuit.

“With seniors, I’m definitely looking forward to being along with their process of applying to colleges,” Bacon said. “I remember my senior year, and it was exciting being on the precipice of something new, and it had it moments where it was more difficult than other moments.”

He is also looking forward to getting to know the students, especially since it is a very important time in their lives.

“There is a lot of things going on in people’s lives when they turn 18,” Bacon said. “With all of this going on, it seems to all coalesce at that time when they really begin to figure themselves out and figure out what they are going to do for the next four years.”

Bacon also hopes that he can teach the students on how to approach the world, be open to questions, learn how to think differently, and help them grow closer to God and in their faith as well.

When asked if he was enjoying his life at St. Paul’s, Bacon said, “Absolutely, 100%.”