Three Noll teachers hit 30-year, 40-year milestone mark

   Three Bishop Noll teachers have accomplished major milestones in their Catholic teaching careers. Mr. John Trafny, social studies teacher, is celebrating 30 years of teaching in the Diocese of Gary, and has been at Noll for all 30 years. Mr. Dave Tutacko, social studies teacher, is celebrating 40 years being a catholic schools teacher in the diocese, 20 of which have been at Noll. Mr. Mark Werkowski, math teacher, is also celebrating being 40 years and has been at Noll for seven years.

   Meeting this milestone shows their great commitment to not only their students, but also to their religion. But to Mr. Tutacko the number has no meaning.

   “I’ve seen so much in the field of education.  I only feel old when my students are the children of students I had so many years ago,” he said. “The ‘magic’ number of 40 has no meaning for me.”

   For these three, teaching in Catholic schools for three or more decades is a big deal because it shows that they care for their student and they are, too, making a sacrifice. According to Tutacko, any teacher could go to a public school and make more money, but they did not because they want to lead their student into the right direction. They want to give their students a bright future and lead them towards Christ. They are a great example of how to be great follower of Christ.

   All three of these teachers have worked in either different Catholic schools or just in a different field entirely. Tutacko worked at Immaculate Conception in Whiting for 9 years, St. Stanislaus in East Chicago for seven years, and St. Mary in East Chicago for five years before coming to Noll  and St. Thomas More in Munster for 28 years. Before coming to Noll, Mr. Trafny worked at U.S. Steel for 12 years, John Hancock Companies for three years, and he served two years in the US Army before he became a teacher at Noll for 7 years.

   All three have also had memorable moments being a teacher, and they are looking forward to more in the future.

   “I’d say I have the advantage of having a strong discipline policy and a strong community atmosphere and the ability to teach Social Studies with a moral perspective,” Tutacko said.