On July 13, 2001, the education community lost a great educator and advocate for learning.  John F. Rinaldi was a teacher, administrator, and leader for the past thirty years following his formal education at St. Michael's College in 1966.  His career began as a high school math teacher and evolved to the position as Assistant Superintendent for the Chittenden South Supervisory Union until his retirement in June of 2001.

John's impact on education was broad and deep including local work with the CSSU Information Technology Committee and with the individual schools that make up one of the largest supervisory unions in the state.  He was instrumental in several wide reaching initiatives including the Regional Education Television Network and state organizations such as Vermont REAPS (an Internet-based clearing house for education related jobs).  John was recognized at the national level by Cable News Network (CNN) Newsroom (a founding board member), the National School Boards Association Technology and Learning Committee (board member and presenter), and as an International Society of Technology Education invitee to participate in the drafting of National Technology Standards for Administrators.  

John worked hard to open the channels of communications not only between schools, but with the greater community at large.  He invited local businesses to visit and discuss their thoughts with educators.  For parents, John encouraged schools to provide open-houses and technology fairs to show how students improved their learning with information technology.  

As an educator, John enjoyed helping both children and adults.  John began his career as a facilitator of learning for CSSU as a math teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School.  Later, as a member of the CSSU Information Technology Committee, John quickly saw the need for ongoing professional development for teachers, staff and parents of CSSU.  He was both a provider and an advocate for adult learning with a vision that was centered on one goal, to improve the learning of children.

John provided workshops for local teachers and staff, he was an adjunct professor for St. Michael's College and a guest faculty for the Harvard University School of Education.  As a presenter, he was widely sought across the country in the field of learning and information technology.  Through this work, John brought back new ideas to Vermont that he readily shared with local educators.  In this way, he helped to shape the landscape of many schools in regards to the access of information and communications.

Yet, through his career, the common thread that ran through all his work and initiatives was the children and young adults that the institution of education serves.  John was ready to accept invitations to visit classrooms and enjoyed participating with the process of their learning.  He was often a silent figure in the acquisition of resources to support new technologies if he believed the work would enhance education.  His monthly video news program, "Let's Talk About Schools", highlighted both technical and non-technical accomplishments in the CSSU schools and he enjoyed the conversations with students the most. 

On May 5, 2001, the CSSU Information Technology Committee gave a surprise thank you party for John on the eve of his retirement for his many years of service towards learning and technology.  Former and present members of the committee were in attendance along with John's wife Sue and his sister Christine.  To the right is a picture of the group as seen from the steps of Diana and Michael Burritt's home (click on the picture for a full image).  It is this extended family, in addition to his wife Sue, children Michael, Matthew and Maria, that will miss John's leadership, wisdom, and love for the best thing that life can offer ... the desire to better oneself and to help others to do the same.

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Last updated: December 28, 2004