L’Anse Creuse Inducts 3 Into Hall of Distinction

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI – L’Anse Creuse Public Schools inducted three people into the Hall of Distinction on April 25, including James L. Dooley, Dr. Joan Garbarino, and John “Jack” C. Hart. Dooley, a teacher, coach, principal, and “visionary,” strived for the best possible education for all students and settled for nothing less.

Dooley served his entire 36 year career in public education at L’Anse Creuse: he was a teacher from 1958 – 1969 at L’Anse Creuse Middle School – Central, and at L’Anse Creuse Middle School – North he was the assistant principal 1969 – 1974 and the principal from 1975 – 1994. In 1992, the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals named him the State Middle School Principal of the Year.

During the 1970’s, Dooley worked with fellow district administration and the Board of Education to transform the junior high schools into successful and progressive middle schools. He is remembered as a true leader and innovator and was known to many as the “Father of Middle Schools in L’Anse Creuse.”

Dr. Joan E. Garbarino believed strongly that L’Anse Creuse should serve all patrons and that everyone deserves a second chance at a quality education. As an expert in adult education, Garbarino was courted in 1980 by the district to create a specialized program for L’Anse Creuse Public Schools. As the Administrator of the High School Completion and Adult Basic Education Program, she created the framework for a program that has changed the trajectory of thousands of lives.

From 1980 – 1999, approximately 2,000 people aged 17- 80 received their diplomas through the exemplary program Garbarino established. Throughout her nearly two decade career she immersed herself in the everyday efforts of improving the program, including a 1994 merge between the L’Anse Creuse and Mount Clemens programs. Her legacy will continue to impact the L’Anse Creuse community for many years.
John “Jack” C. Hart dedicated his life to serving his community as a school board member, law enforcement officer, civic leader, and volunteer. Hart was a member of the L’Anse Creuse Board Education from 1980 – 1996 and again from 2002 – 2010. During that time he served as president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and trustee.

One of his many successes during his tenure was the implementation of the Community Service Learning graduation requirement. He truly believed in the power of education. In 1971, during his 30 years in law enforcement with the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department, he implemented a rehabilitation program offering educational opportunities to the jail population which established the relationship between the district and the Sheriff’s Department.

Hart’s devotion to the community continued as the supervisor of Harrison Township from 1996 – 2000 and as a very active member of the L’Anse Creuse Educational Foundation. The Hall of Distinction is located in the lobby of the John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center located at 24600 Frederick V. Pankow Blvd.

Photos courtesy of the L'Anse Creuse school district