John Stadnyk, Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board director of education, will be retiring effective June 30, 2017.
Stadnyk made the announcement at Wednesday’s H-SCDSB monthly board meeting.
“I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with everybody on this board, as a teacher, administrator and director over these 40 years,” Stadnyk told the board.
“I’ve taught wonderful students, I’ve had tremendous learning opportunities with my colleagues and administrators with whom I’ve worked.”
Stadnyk was first hired as a teacher by the former Sault Ste. Marie Roman Catholic Separate School Board in 1976.
He became the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board’s director in 2005.
“We have an opportunity to change kids lives, change kids outcomes, provide opportunities, education is a great equalizer, so just to have had that experience has been very rewarding, I’m grateful for that,” Stadnyk told SooToday.
Stadnyk said he was nervous, at first, when thinking about retirement.
“You feel like you’re going from 100 miles per hour to what seems like zero,” Stadnyk smiled.
“But there comes a time when you just know it’s time to retire, and the time came.”
Stadnyk, a Sault native and father of two, said he plans to spend more time with family and friends, work on his golf game and pursue his passion for running.
Stadnyk said he will also continue to stay active as a member of the board of directors for ARCH, St. Vincent Place and the Patient Family Advisory Council at Sault Area Hospital.