Retiring Melrose Teachers Honored

Melrose teachers retiring at the end of this school year, cumulatively representing over 250 years of educating Melrose students, were formally recognized for their work at last week's School Committee meeting.

Superintendent Joe Casey introduced each teacher and read his or her list of accomplishments and history in Melrose Public Schools before Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Melrose, presented each a citation from the state House of Representatives.

"You've meant so much to us and to all of the students who are sitting here," Casey said after introducing each of the teachers, who receiving a standing ovation from those at the meeting.

Jim Babineau began teaching at Melrose High School in 1975 and served as the Math Department chairman. He also served as the Melrose Education Association teacher association president for 14 years and the summer school and enrichment director for 11 years.

Janet Dembro, a recipient of the Goldin Foundation's "Excellence in Education" award," began in Melrose in 1986 as a teacher's aide and a year later, she was a kindergarten teacher at the Franklin and Ripley Schools. She then spent 13 years as a first grade teacher at the Beebe School and the past nine years as a second grade teacher at the Horace Mann School.

Melrose High School science teacher Jim DiSanto began in Melrose in 1975. During his time at the high school, DiSanto has served as class advisor to all four grade levels; a yearbook advisor; boys basketball coach; and girls track coach. The energy manager for the school district, DiSanto also accompanied students on AP environmental science trips to Costa Rica.

"Ask him what it's like to ride a zipline — he'll tell you," Casey added.

Diane Lord has spent her entire career in the English Department at Melrose High School, beginning in 1983. Lord piloted a new humanities program for high school freshmen and served on the high school's Scholarship Committee.

Nancy Savarino began teaching in Melrose midway through the 1976-1977 school years and has taught first grade at the Lincoln, Roosevelt and Horace Mann Schools. Savarino had significant input on curriculum development for the school district and also served on the Report Card Committee. A member of the school site council for nine years, she was a six-year member of the Teacher Assistance Team and an "Excellence in Education" award nominee.

Melrose High School assistant principal Bob Savarino began teaching in Melrose in 1975 and has taught physical education at every school in the district, in addition to serving as the district's health/wellness grant coordinator. The man called "Sav" by the students also served as the high school's community service director; dean of students for two years; high school internship program director; faculty manager of the athletic department, coached girls softball and boys soccer; and as a class advisor to all four grade levels at the high school.

"I don't think there's much Bob hasn't done," Casey said. 

Three additional retiring teachers could not attend last week's School Committee meeting. Betty Camerlengo began as a substitute teacher in 1995 and then worked as a paraprofessional at the Roosevelt and Lincoln Schools, before working as a second grade teacher at the Lincoln School for the past three years.

Dr. Betty Pezaris began in 1983 as a part-time school psychologist and worked at the preschool and elementary level at each school in the district.

Patty Scialdoni began teaching in Melrose in 1974 and was the high school Chess Club and Debate Team advisor. In addition to serving on the high school Scholarship Committee, Scialdoni served as a class advisor to all four grade levels at the high school and as an advisor to the National Honor Society.