CANFIELD — The third time is the charm for John Tullio.

He most recently served as interim superintendent for the Canfield Local School district, from where he’s now officially retired.

“It was time,” Tullio said.

In 2007, he retired from Youngstown City Schools, but shortly after the school year ended he was scooped up by then-superintendent of Canfield, Dante Zambrini, asking if Tullio would be interested in an assistant principal position.

Then, just this past July, Tullio was planning on retiring but chose to assist his successor, Joseph Knoll, as he became situated with Canfield.

“I felt it would be important for the district to stay on and help Mr. Knoll with the transition, and it was a great transition,” Tullio said.

STARTED IN 1972

Tullio grew up in Coitsville, attending North High School. He attended Youngstown State and graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in education, with a major in health and physical education.

Tullio, 71, began his career in education in 1972 as an elementary physical education teacher at Paul C. Bunn school in Youngstown.

It was an individually guided school, which meant there weren’t grades, but students were in units.

“It was really special. The kids did a fantastic job there,” he said, noting the opportunity made him a better teacher. “I just had a great time.”

Due to a decline in enrollment and budget cuts over the years, Tullio was transferred to various buildings, landing at West Elementary.

“It’s there where I started as an assistant principal” under the guidance of then-Principal Tony DeNiro, Tullio said.

He then went downtown to the board of education buildling to become the supervisor of health and physical education, drivers’ education, athletics and security.

His list of duties was impressive.

“I used to laugh because my job description was longer than the superintendent’s,” Tullio said. Although his roles kept him busy, he enjoyed his work.

In 1977 Tullio went back for a master’s degree in physical education, one of the first to obtain the degree within the program at that time, he said. He also has several certifications.

FEELS FULFILLED

After going to the Canfield school district, Tullio added more titles to his name, including co-prinipcal and principal, and curriculum director of instruction.

Looking back on his career in education, he feels fulfilled.

“I’m one of the few individuals today that (can say) I’ve lived all of my goals,” Tullio said.

While in Youngstown, he worked toward becoming director of physical education “and I became that.”

The achievements and milestones along the way, Tullio said, are “icing on the cake.”

One of his biggest achievements was establishing the Small Schools program in the Youngstown school district, and the Youngstown Early College program. “I’m extremely proud of that program,” he said.

Now that he’s in retirement, Tullio will enjoy time with family including his high school sweetheart, Sandra, and their son John Jr. who is an attorney in Cleveland.

He’ll also travel to Florida and South Carolina, he said.

Tullio attributes a long career to work ethic, and most importantly, how he set priorities.

“Kids are No. 1. Whatever you do in education, you do for the kids, not for yourself,” Tullio said.

afox@tribtoday.com