By Theresia Titus
La Salle College Science and Mathematics teacher Joe Sorgiovanni has bid farewell to the College and its students.
As of 31 December 2019, Mr Sorgiovanni – who began his teaching career in 1981 at the age of 37 – has retired from his teaching journey, a career he never planned to have when he switched his profession in the agricultural industry.
“My wife informed me that Western Australian College of Advanced Education was seeking mature aged students to pursue a career in teaching,” Mr Sorgiovanni said.
“I accepted the challenge and commenced the Diploma of Teaching in 1978, graduating in 1980. Science and Mathematics became my area due to the influence of Mr Frank Quinlivin, my high school science teacher back in the mid-1950s.”
Mr Sorgiovanni soon learnt that his diverse background “brought something different to the traditional approach to teaching”, enabling him to work together with the students and parents in ensuring students transitioned into outstanding young men and women when they left the College.
“Being able to be part of this transition is what I found most fulfilling and enabled to continue for the 39 years,” he added.
“This very quickly became a two-way journey in which I realised that if one showed the students genuine care and respect in line with the philosophy of St John Baptist de La Salle, it was very evident that, through this relationship developed by both parents and their children, I had found my ‘home away from home’.
“The ongoing friendship and support of a number of colleagues over the years were important for the journey and as a result, it never once entered my mind to seek opportunities at another school,” he continued.
During his years at La Salle, Mr Sorgiovanni is also heavily involved with the College’s sporting fields by managing and coaching the College’s boy’s football team for 37 years.
He also introduced the “Keys for Life” course to all Year 10 students in preparation for their Learners Permit from 2006 to 2017 and received the Human Spirit Award in recognition of many years of service in implementing the program by the School Drug Education and Road Aware.
“While there have been many highs and proud moments, by far the proudest moment for myself and family was at the Colleges Presentation Night in 2002 when our special needs daughter Rebecca was awarded the prestigious Principal’s Medallion as a Year 12 and the first graduate from the Education Support Unit,” Mr Sorgiovanni expressed.
He learnt from his teaching journey that it is important to lead by example, earn respect, never demean students, and never stop teaching by providing “hope and encouragement that they can achieve and become anything they set their mind to”.
“I retire from the College knowing that over the years I have fulfilled the role required under the philosophy of St John Baptist de La Salle of reaching out to touch the hearts and inspire all students as they have mine.
“For me, the difficulty of retiring was leaving the behind the relationship I have developed over the years with families and students of La Salle College many of whom I still remain in contact with, as well as a number of colleagues who played an important part of my journey.
“I will be forever grateful to [former La Salle College Principal] Mr Clement Mulchay for giving me the opportunity to become part of the Lasallian journey. I loved every minute of it,” he concluded.