By Rich Pollack
GULF STREAM — Joe Zaluski was a teacher’s teacher — an educator who stood out for his passion for his craft and a teacher who enjoyed passing on that passion to those who crossed his path during the 14 years he led the Gulf Stream School.
Mr. Zaluski, who retired as head of school in 2019 and moved back to Ohio to be near family, died on Feb. 16, leaving behind a legacy of caring about the people who walked through the Gulf Stream School’s doors, whether they were preschool students or veteran classroom teachers. He was 72.
Warm and kind like a favorite uncle, Mr. Zaluski is remembered by his staff and former students for his compassion and dedication to their success.
It is no surprise that one of the people he admired most was educational television host Fred Rogers, and that was reflected in how he spent every day.
“Joe was a Mister Rogers to many people,” said Sally, his wife of 45 years.
In addition to the responsibilities he had for running the prestigious school — a full-time job — Mr. Z, as he was known, still took time to teach two sixth-grade reading classes every week.
“Reading is the most valuable skill for success,” he said during a 2019 conversation with The Coastal Star. “I want the students to be lifelong learners.”
During that interview, Mr. Zaluski said that during all his years at the school there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t learn something new.
Much of what he learned he shared with teachers, staff and often students.
“He fostered a love of teaching but also a love of learning,” said Danielle Cooper, a longtime teacher at the school who was hired by Mr. Zaluski.
Teachers and staff will tell you that one of his greatest strengths was building an environment where teachers — and students — focused on doing their best.
“We all felt like we wanted to make Joe proud,” Cooper said.
A trademark of Mr. Zaluski’s was his welcoming students at the front of the school every morning, shaking hands on occasion and saying hello to parents as well.
That gesture blended in well with his goal of making sure students knew the school was a safe place for them.
“A child needs to know ‘I can come to school and know that I’m going to be greeted by people who love me, care about me and want to help me succeed academically and emotionally and accept me for who I am,’” he said during the 2019 interview.
As an administrator Mr. Zaluski helped keep the school financially strong while raising its profile.
He oversaw renovations to every classroom and the construction of a new pavilion with three classrooms above it. All were funded through a major capital campaign.
Mr. Zaluski also loved adventure and shared passion with students and faculty.
At least once he jumped out of an airplane, took flying lessons, went scuba diving off the Keys, hot air ballooned and attempted to climb Mount Rainier.
During his tenure at the school, he made sure eighth graders took trips to places like the Grand Canyon or Canada or to Homosassa Springs, where they swam with manatees.
In 2016 he took the entire faculty to Crystal River, where they went scalloping as part of his effort to bring the teachers together, another thing that was a priority.
A graduate of the University of Dayton in Ohio, with a master’s in education, Mr. Zaluski started his career as a sixth-grade teacher and coach and advanced to administrative positions in the elementary grades for most of his 43 years in education
Cooper, who is the director of the Gulf Stream School’s Julien Arts & Innovation Center and who teaches innovation, literature, technology and math, says that Mr. Zaluski was an inspiration to those who have followed in his footsteps.
“Joe was why you wanted to teach,” she said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Zaluski is survived by a son, Zachary, a daughter, Katelin, and two young granddaughters, and he is remembered by many members of the Gulf Stream School family.
A private celebration of life will be held in New Jersey, where he was born and raised.
Donations in the memory of Mr. Zaluski can be made to the Outdoor Education Center at Glen Helen (Glenhelen.org) in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
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