A Storied Career In Lasallian Education

By Christopher M. Carabello ’82

Michael O’Toole ’68 is an educator with five decades of professional experience who exhibits excellence in his vocation and has risen to the pinnacle of his profession. He served as Principal of La Salle College High School for nine years (2012-2021). Prior to returning to his alma mater, he served as Principal of Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, PA for seven years. Mike O’Toole is a member of the PAIS Commission on Accreditation, where he serves as an evaluator at independent schools in Pennsylvania seeking PAIS (formerly Middle States) accreditation. He holds both an A.B. and M.A. in American Civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. He was a Klingenstein Fellow in Independent School Leadership at Teachers College of Columbia University, where he also received a

Masters degree in education. Additionally, he participated in the inaugural Lasallian Social Justice Institute in 2004.

Although retired as Principal, Mike O’Toole is in his 42nd year as a teacher at La Salle College High School (1974-2005, 2012-present). His tenure is second only to Dave Diehl ’55 and Joe Ciccimaro ’57, both Hall of Fame Inductees. He was elected chairman of the English department at age 30 and served as Director of Summer Programs for eleven years. He initiated and founded the Northwest Scholars Program, an outreach program to Northwest Philadelphia neighborhoods that is now called the Saint Katharine Drexel Program and is a viable component to the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. He was named Curriculum Associate and eventually served as the school’s first Director of Academic Technology, where he spearheaded the school’s initial technology plan and launched La Salle’s first website. He was the second Editor of the Explorer and was the long-time moderator of the Swim Team and, for the past five years, has served as moderator of the Squash Team.

Three new sports were added while Mike O’Toole was Principal along with 20 new clubs and activities, including Robotics and the expansion of the WEXP program. In addition, the student-to-faculty ratio was reduced to 9:1 with 121 faculty members from 93 different colleges and universities, 80% of which have an advanced degree (eight have doctorate degrees). During Mike’s tenure as Principal, enrollment increased by 7% and interest in the school was never higher. AP offerings and scholars remained a top the local catholic and private schools in the area as did the number of National Merit Recognized students. His leadership during the pandemic, most notably La Salle’s academic performance from March 2020 to May 2021, is particularly noteworthy as few other schools were able to accomplish what La Salle did for its students.

Mike O’Toole has repeatedly proven his willingness to assist La Salle College High School and the Alumni Association in the realization of La Salle’s mission of a Christian education. He served as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors (19992002) as well as a member of the Board of Trustees (2000-2005, 2012-2021). In addition, Mike O’Toole has demonstrated tremendous service and contributions to the community having served as Board Chair of Face to Face in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and a member of the Advisory Board for De Paul Catholic School in North Philadelphia.

Mike O’Toole clearly shares the Christian values of La Salle College High School, the Alumni Association, and the Christian Brothers. He received the President’s Medal in 2005 and, in 2021, Mike O’Toole was the recipient of the Distinguished Lasallian Educator Award from the Christian Brothers, which is presented annually to an educator amongst all Lasallian schools for their outstanding work and dedication to the charism of Saint La Salle. It is the highest award given to a Lasallian educator.

Mike and his wife, Mary Lou, reside in Elkins Park and Cape May, where they spend time with their daughter, Lara, two grandchildren, and their son, Dan ’05 – all of whom celebrate his induction in the Hall of Fame.

Joseph A. Mihalich ’74