After nearly 35 years in public education, Norridge School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Zafiratos (MA '76 special education) is proud to say that he loves what he does. In a profession where the burnout rate is notoriously high, Zafiratos continues to keep a fresh attitude and enjoys his work on a daily basis.

Zafiratos attributes this enjoyment to his love of children and his unwavering desire to "make a difference in children's lives." Achieving this goal has meant finding ways to meet every student's individual needs.  According to Zafiratos, a positive working environment and the support of fellow professionals have allowed him the freedom to meet those needs. "I've had the good fortune of holding positions where the working environment has always enabled me to optimize my success with the students," says Zafiratos.  It's that kind of environment, coupled with the pleasure of seeing kids succeed, that continue to make me feel good about what I do."

In addition to his positive working environment, Zafiratos credits his success to the training he received in Northeastern's special education master's degree program. "It was a fantastic experience," says Zafiratos. "When I got out in the field and had my own classroom, I realized what a great job my professors had done to prepare me."  Zafiratos also speaks highly of Northeastern for another reason.  It was in one of his special education classes that he met his wife, Mary (BA special education, '74; MA reading '78).  The couple married in 1976, the same year Zafiratos accepted his first teaching position in Harwood Heights.

Following his Harwood Heights position, Zafiratos served as administrator for Leyden Area Special Education Co-operative (LASEC). While at LASEC he began a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies at Loyola University, which he completed in 1994.  He accepted his current position as school superintendent for Pennoyer Elementary School District 79, Norridge in 1992.

Although he loves what he does, making a difference in students' lives has not been without its obstacles.  According to Zafiratos, his greatest challenge has been continuing to keep programs going in spite of state funding shortages.  Recently, for example, he worked with school board members, educators and concerned community residents to pass a tax referendum that would help maintain the current level of programming in his district.  "As superintendent you have to be the one to convince all the stakeholders that you need more funds for school programs. And then you need to involve those stakeholders in the decision-making process." Adds Zafiratos, "It's a matter of helping people realize that the benefits of education will more than exceed the cost."