Clement Ding ’28

---

Every year, Strake Jesuit welcomes new teachers, who bring unique experiences, perspectives, and skills to our classrooms. This year, one of those teachers is Dr. Endrit Agolli, the new AP Literature and AC English 1 instructor, who also coaches in our soccer program and helps advise our school newspaper, MAGIS. 

Dr. Agolli holds a PhD in English from St. John’s University in New York, the institution where he taught global literature and first-year writing and composition prior to coming to Strake Jesuit. His passion for English literature stems from classic literature and its heroes, which he finds especially inspiring. 

“Great literature is something that can sustain one through life. It is a way to exemplify that man does not live through bread alone,” he said. “I always wanted to be the protagonist of my own life. I found characters in novels, plays, and dramas exemplary and excellent.”

Lucky for us, Dr. Agolli found our school exemplary and excellent.

“I was impressed by the closeness of the community,” he said. “The kindness of the people and receptivity that I received here was exceptional, and this was really an environment where one could flourish.” Dr. Agolli also cited the Moran food as another enticement for teaching here, which he enjoys.

“My seniors have a curiosity to question life and put that into perspective through their faith,” Dr. Agolli said. “They have a receptivity towards intellect and faith that is very refreshing.”

Dr. Agolli cites The Bible and the collected works of Shakespeare as his top must-read sources. With his infectious love for classic literature, Dr. Agolli hopes that his students will not only become better readers and writers but also the worthy protagonists of their own lives.