A Place to Call Home: José Andión '00
As an alumnus of the Class of 2000, I can confidently say that Belen Jesuit is more than a school—it’s a brotherhood, a community, and, most importantly, a home. Returning to Belen as both a faculty member and the Dean of Student Life is an experience deeply rooted in my journey as an educator, a father, and a man of faith.
After graduating from Belen, I embarked on a path that allowed me to serve in education. I spent 18 years as a public school teacher, honing my craft, working with diverse student populations, and gaining invaluable insights into what it means to guide young minds. It was fulfilling work, but there was always a sense that something was missing. I realized I was preparing for a greater purpose—a role where my experiences and passions could come together in a place that shaped me so profoundly.
In God’s perfect timing, I returned to Belen Jesuit. It was His time, and it was the right time for me to come back “home.” Teaching at my alma mater and serving as Dean of Student Life is more than a job—it’s a calling. I see it as a responsibility and a privilege to give back to the community that formed me into the person I am today.
One of the great joys of this role is sharing the Belen experience with my son, who is now a sixth grader. Watching him walk these same halls, play on the fields, and form lifelong friendships fills me with pride and gratitude. It’s a reminder that the values of brotherhood, faith, and academic excellence we hold dear are alive and well—and something I want to nurture for future generations.
As the Dean of Student Life, my mission is to enhance the brotherhood that already exists at Belen and take it to new heights. This brotherhood, forged through shared experiences and Jesuit values, is the foundation of what makes Belen unique. I want to build on this foundation by fostering meaningful relationships not just within grade levels but across them. There is something powerful about an eighth-grader feeling connected to a senior, or a sophomore learning from an alumnus who walked the same halls. This sense of unity is what transforms a school into a lifelong community.
Every day at Belen is a dance of “controlled chaos,” a term I’ve come to love and embrace. The hallways are alive with energy—students rushing from one activity to another, friendships forming, and ideas blossoming. My goal is to channel this energy into opportunities for personal and spiritual growth. I want every student to feel seen, heard, and valued through retreats, athletics, service projects, extracurriculars, and everyday interactions.
My time in public schools taught me the importance of structure and intentionality and the value of letting students explore their potential within that structure. At Belen, I see this as creating an environment where students are challenged to step outside their comfort zones but are supported every step of the way. It’s about guiding them to become “Men for Others” in every sense of the phrase—men who lead with integrity, act with compassion, and serve with humility.
Being back at Belen has also deepened my appreciation for the Jesuit principles that shaped me as a student and continue to guide me today. The emphasis on cura personalis, or care for the whole person, is something I strive to embody in my interactions with students. Whether it’s addressing a matter, celebrating a student’s achievement, or simply listening, I see every moment as an opportunity to model the values that define our community.
Ultimately, I hope to leave a lasting impact, not just on individual students but on the culture of Belen as a whole. I want students to look back on their time here and remember the bonds they formed, the lessons they learned, and the ways they grew into the best versions of themselves. I want them to feel the same sense of belonging that brought me back home.
Working at Belen Jesuit isn’t just a career—it’s a full-circle moment. It’s an opportunity to give back to the school that gave me so much, to serve God’s purpose, and to ensure that the brotherhood that has always defined Belen continues to thrive for generations to come. As an alumnus, a father, and a faculty member, I am honored to be part of this journey. It’s good to be home.
This article is featured in the Belen Jesuit Magazine - Winter 2025 edition. Click here to read the magazine.
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.