After 42 years of teaching, 22 which have been at Bishop Noll, Mr. David Tutacko, social studies teacher, is retiring at the end of the 2015 school year.

  “I don’t have the energy I used to have,” Tutacko said. “I’ve been walking up three flights of stairs for over 20 years. I’m old. Besides, somebody is willing to pay me to stay home. It’s an offer too hard to refuse.”

  Tutacko has taught at four different schools in his 42 years of teaching. He first taught at Immaculate Conception in Whiting for nine years. He then left for St.Stanislaus in East Chicago for seven years. And prior to Noll, he taught at St. Mary’s in East Chicago for three years.

 Tutacko is planning to spend his retirement traveling, which is his one true love. He is planning to travel to London, Rome, and Paris.

  “I am going to travel anywhere but Indiana, he said.

  Tutacko, who is known among the Noll community for his innovative teaching style, which he calls non-traditional,  will really be missed by students and co-workers .

  “I have known Mr. Tutacko for the past 11 years. I would say the entire set of experiences through the past 11 years of working together would all be the best memories,” Mr. Paul Wirtz, social studies teacher said. “There is no way to just simply choose one. Ever since my first day at Bishop Noll,  Mr. Tutacko has always been there to help in any way possible. He has provided a constant source of guidance, inspiration, and laughter.”

 Wirtz credits Tutacko with showing him the ropes of teaching when he first arrived at Noll as a first-year teacher.

  “Mr. Tutacko has been an amazing colleague, role model, mentor, and most importantly friend. I don’t know if someone could be a truer representation of the tradition of Bishop Noll,” Wirtz said.

  Not only is Mr. Tutacko known for his sense of humor, but his fellow teachers know him as a great bowler.

   “I have known Mr. Tutacko for fifteen years. We are founding members of the before school teacher coffee club. My favorite memory of Mr. Tutacko was being on the same bowling team with him. Boy, that man can bowl!” Ms. Lydia Skurka, Theology teacher, said.

   One of Tutacko’s noted characteristics over the past 22 years at Noll was his lesson reenactments with props and costumes. Students walking down the 3rd floor hallway were familiar, and still excited, with the appearance of Tutacko standing outside his hallway dressed as a musketeer or a pope.

  “I have known him for about 20 years, and probably the best [memory] is his dressing the part of a historical figure,” said Mr. John Trafny, social studies teacher. “Wearing the clothing styles of the French musketeer and the Russian soldier are classic. His trial of the king during during the Revolution are great as well.”