This year, Marco Parducci, a psychology teacher in the social studies department, is retiring after 29 years of commitment and enthusiasm. 

Parducci obtained his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology. However, he got into teaching late. Before he became a teacher, he worked in the mental health field in therapy for 10 years. His favorite part of teaching is the students. 

“I had a lot of struggles myself as a student in high school and college and I thought maybe I could make a difference,” Parducci said. 

Throughout his years at Glenbard East, he’s been involved in multiple after-school activities. He coached both boys and girls soccer and in the winter, he coached girls bowling. This year, they finished the season by going to state. He was also the sponsor of the Bass Club and did after-school strength training. 

His impact on Glenbard East has been significant. Dawn Chantos, a colleague of Parducci, also teaches social studies classes and coaches bowling. Mrs. Chantos and Mr. Parducci used to teach together. For the entire year, they combined the sociology and psychology curriculum. 

“What a great impact he’s had on so many students, teachers, all of us working with him as a colleague and being inspired by the way he has so much energy and love for what he does,” she said. 

He’ll be greatly missed by the entire community of Glenbard East with colleagues, like Laura Broderick, a teacher of AP Human Geography, Latin American History, and psychology who has plans to keep in touch with Mr. Parducci. The two were even born at the same hospital in Chicago. 

“We have children around the same ages so we’ve been to each other’s children’s weddings and seen some of us become Grandparents. We will definitely be harassing him once he leaves,” Broderick said. 

His plans for retirement are to hunt, fish, travel, and watch soccer. Mr. Parducci has left a legacy at Glenbard East. Students and faculty are so grateful for his dedication for the past 29 years.