Popular Joe Nardo retires after 41 years
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Bellbottom pants, male teachers required to wear ties to class, girls forbidden to wear pants to school, break dancing, shrinking school budgets, serious educational reform and technological breakthroughs that promise to revolutionize education.

Joe Nardo has experienced it all during his lifetime career with Las Virgenes Unified School District.

Nardo, the LVUSD assistant superintendent of education, recently announced his retirement after 41 years working in the district.

Nardo's farewell to the district didn't come lightly. He said he still feels the same enthusiasm for his work and wants to help the district even after he retires.

"I hope to help with the transition of all the changes occurring in the district in some capacity," Nardo said.

Deputy Superintendent Donald Zimring has known Nardo since his early days as a principal at Lindero Canyon Middle School.

"Joe has an incredible skill at calming situations and getting people to talk frankly and focus on the common good," Zimring said. "Literally tens of thousands of students have benefitted by what he has done, both directly and indirectly through all of his work in the district, starting as a teacher...."

Nardo, 68, has been instrumental in many landmark changes in district policy and programs over the years.

He is the man behind a host of alternative education options, from home schooling and independent study to online classes and a virtual school.

The latest addition to the many choices in Las Virgenes is the Las Virgenes Community Learning Center, an elementary school designed to offer a unique learning environment for children, and more flexibility for the way teachers deliver the "three R's" to students.

Nardo launched his career with Las Virgenes in 1966, right around the time the district became "unified."

His first classroom teaching job was at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas, but within a couple of years Nardo was promoted to dean of students.

"Bell-bottom pants were not allowed when I was the Dean at A.E. Wright Middle School," Nardo said. "I had to suspend boys who wore them."

When Lindero Canyon Middle School opened, Nardo moved to the new school but was quickly promoted to principal at A.E. Wright where he served for seven years.

The school was evaluated under WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), a process usually reserved for high schools.

"It is rare for a middle school to do this," Nardo said.

Lindero gained national recognition under Nardo's 12-year leadership as principal. The school was recognized as the first National Blue Ribbon School in Las Virgenes, an honor that placed the school on the national map for excellence. The school was then selected as one of 100 middle schools nationwide to participate in model programs called "Caught in the Middle."

During Nardo's reign at Lindero, girls weren't allowed to wear pants unless it was raining, and male teachers always wore ties.

"I got tired of answering the phone at 7:30 a.m. when a cloud would appear in the sky and girls would call asking, 'Can we wear pants today?'"

Nardo put his heart, soul and dancing shoes into his work as a middle school principal. He made a deal with students to break dance if they reached their magazine fund drive goals. They did- and Nardo danced.

By the time Nardo moved into administrative jobs at the district, dress codes were relaxed and men no longer wore ties to class.

Nardo's experience at the district level is broad. He worked as Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction and introduced the "Educator's Expo," a successful workshop for teachers featuring many renowned speakers.

In the "Schools Attuned" program, Nardo brought in Dr. Mel Levine, co-founder of All Kinds of Minds, a nonprofit institute for the study of differences in learning, to address more than 1,000 employees.

As director of pupil services, Nardo oversaw the special education department. He said it was the most difficult position he ever held at the district.

"I learned quickly that those who work in special education deserve the biggest round of applause," Nardo said.

"I had six years of challenges in this very demanding program. I gained a true appreciation for all of the challenges- both those that parents face as well as staff."

Over the years, Nardo also gained a reputation as quite the prankster. As a teacher, Nardo convinced his students he had a twin brother. Each September Nardo would show up at the first day back to school as his bearded "twin."

As for the challenges he faced, Nardo said school financing tops the list. "Financing education has always been a problem- wondering each year how much we will be receiving from the state to continue educational programs," Nardo said.

Nardo believes the teacher's job is far more difficult today than it was when he taught school.

"The expectations of dealing with larger classes filled with many students who have more serious learning and living issues makes it far more difficult than ever," he said.

He isn't as comfortable with standardized testing, school rankings, the "No Child Left Behind Act," and other state and federal mandates.

"I'm not sure they are all in the best interest of our students," he said. "Some of the government's expectations, though laudable on the surface, will harm many children as 'one size does not fit all.'"

In his current position, Nardo has been instrumental in opening up alternative education options for students, including dual credit for high school and college courses and more online opportunities.But he believes there's always room for improvement. "High schools are changing," he said.

He also likes to see the schools connect with the business community.

"Many high school students are ready to move on into colleges and careers much sooner than some of our policies currently allow," he said.

Nardo said he plans to "ease into" the next phase of his life.

"Right now, I also need to look for opportunities that keep me productively involved in my profession so I can continue to contribute in some way," he said.

At the moment, Nardo and his wife, Sally, are planning their first trip to Europe.