CARMEL- Lou Riolo describes himself as a “very lucky man.”
The former career Carmel School District educator, who currently is employed as Assistant Superintendent of Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES, announced Sunday he is retiring at the end of the month capping a 36 year career in public education helping to shape the lives of more than 25,000 young people.
Riolo graduated from Carmel High School in 1984 before earning his baccalaureate degree from Bucknell University and returning to Carmel as a social studies teacher in 1988.
For the next 26 years Riolo taught Carmel students and for 14 of those years helped to mold the district’s social studies curriculum as department chairperson.
Riolo was then appointed Carmel High School Principal—a position held for five and one half years and when contacted by BOCES, the 57 year old Brewster resident began a new phase in his illustrious career.
Riolo said while his missed people in Carmel, the “relocation to BOCES opened my eyes to a new and different line of education. I had an opportunity to work with people not only in local districts but on a state and federal level.”
Riolo described BOCES as an amazing institution that educates a “diverse population ranging from special education to technical education, nursing, engineering, pre-med, regional safety services in addition to culinary and animal care programs.
Riolo expressed concern about the current state of affairs related to education: “There is too much outside politics. Sadly, a negative attitude permeates today’s educational system. Schools must be community based yet too many people in our communities want it there way since they believe they know best. This would be like me going to Putnam or Danbury Hospital and demanding to be on the surgical team. Remember, schools are the one place that people have a right to vote and unfortunately, many people take their frustrations out on the local district since they have virtually no say on the town, county, state or federal level.”
Riolo remembered his late aunt who was born in 1900 and recently passed away: “She lived in the Bronx, experienced World War I and World War II, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights movement and the blackouts in New York City, yet she never complained. Today people find fault and nitpick over everything. What damage is this causing today’s young people. Schools continue to receive the brunt of the criticism with threats and attacks on an individual’s family. It’s disgusting and wrong.”
Riolo said despite the negatives, “I have been around people who are rock stars and have been truly blessed to have worked with wonderful teachers, parents, administrators and most of all students.”
