Joe Szafarowicz is unable to do what most people of a certain age do: retire.

After spending 32 years in education, teaching four years at the former St. Agnes Elementary School and then 28 years in the Toledo Public Schools, Mr. Szafarowicz moved on to other adventures.

“Retiring is not for me,” Mr. Szafarowicz, of Sylvania, said. “Retirement has allowed me to do things I want to do.”

Some of his “nonretirement” activities include using art to work with troubled youths in the juvenile justice system.

His passion for helping young people is not a surprise to members of his first classroom assignment as a teacher some 55 years ago.

Darlene Goatley was a student in Mr. Szafarowicz’s seventh-grade class at St. Agnes Elementary school in 1970. To say he left an impression on his students would be an understatement.

“Joe has always been much more than a teacher for thousands of kids over his entire career,” Ms. Goatley said. “He is no average Joe.”

Mr. Szafarowicz, who will be 80 on Saturday, will be celebrated by many members of that St. Agnes class at Incorvaia’s Bene Italiano, Ms. Goatley said.

“Many of his students stayed in touch with him over all of these years, and I was one of them,” Ms. Goatley said. “Joe was only 25 when he taught our class. He made quite an impression on kids who had previously mostly had nuns teaching them. He took a personal interest in all of his students, even attending our lame basketball games.”

Ms. Goatley said Mr. Szafarowicz helped her immensely in her life.

“I was new to the school, and I was a kid that got into a lot of trouble talking,” Ms. Goatley said. “He helped me a lot. He was a great and caring teacher and made quite an impression on all of us. “

As she approached high school graduation, Mr. Szafarowicz continued to help, Ms. Goatley said.

“Joe helped me to secure a four-year college scholarship, which changed the trajectory of my life,” Ms. Goatley said. “He was able to get me a four-year paid scholarship to Mary Manse College. When it closed in 1975, my scholarship transferred over to the College of Wooster. I earned a bachelor’s degree there and went on to earn a master’s degree in social work at the University of Michigan.

Ms. Goatley worked as a medical social worker in Maryland, Oregon, and Arizona. She has now moved back to Toledo and has kept in touch with Mr. Szafarowicz.

“It is great that we can come together and celebrate his birthday,” she said. “Joe has reached out to kids in Toledo who really had no chance in life and helped them to have a life. We get to let him know how he affected us.”

Waterville Mayor Tim Pedro was also a student of Mr. Szafarowicz.

Mr. Pedro said Mr. Szafarowicz was the first male teacher he had seen at the school.

“That was really something since most of the teachers were nuns,” Mr. Pedro said. “He was just one of those guys who really got the energy out of you. He knew how to motivate students.”

Mr. Pedro said he was “not the best reader in school,” but a book Mr. Szafarowicz helped him select helped change that.

“Hot Rod Rodeo, and it was the first book I read from front to back,” he said. “I still have that book, and I just remember how powerful it was to read something all the way through.”

Mr. Szafarowicz also helped to organize the first student council at St. Agnes.

“I was elected as vice president of the class,” Mr. Pedro said. “Who would have known that all of these years later I would become mayor of Waterville?”

After he was of retirement age, Mr. Szafarowicz continued to offer several innovative programs for kids in the juvenile justice system.

One such program was a glass-blowing class with artists at the Toledo Museum of Art. He served as a liaison between the Lucas County Juvenile Court and the museum. He also worked with teens at the Lucas County Juvenile Detention Center, teaching them art as well.

“I believe in art integration,” Mr. Szafarowicz said. “I have seen that teaching math, science, and language arts through art works. I have seen art help kids who were struggling. The glass blowing kept kids busy and involved.”

Mr. Szafarowicz has been married for more than 50 years to his wife, Sharon. They have three children: daughter Melissa Deeg and sons Joe Szafarowicz, a business marketing manager with PT Link, and Michael Szafarowicz, a retired Sylvania Township Fire Department battalion chief.

As for taking time out to rest, that is also not for Mr. Szafarowicz. He has just taken on a new role as the director of fine arts and vocational education for First Focus. The new agency in Toledo is expected to help teens and adults cope with mental illness using the arts, music, athletics, and vocational training.

Because of Mr. Szafarowicz, Ms. Goatley has also accepted a part-time job as a community liaison with First Focus.

“Art enhances life daily, and it can save lives,” Mr. Szafarowicz said. “Art affects the kids who use it. People do not realize what kids can do with these programs and some discipline. It changes their attitudes about things. Their creations help them realize they are meaningful and talented. Art is the most powerful tool a teacher has in their toolbox when teaching kids.”

Mr. Pedro, who will emcee the birthday party, said he has been busy trying to remember everything his former teacher taught him.

“He helped all of us,” Mr. Pedro said. “He taught me to never give up and to just ask questions. I am playing emcee at the birthday party, but in my head I am asking myself ‘How would Joe do this?’”

First Published March 27, 2025, 5:35 p.m.