Principal’s secretary to retire, plans to teach at elementary school

Susan Dini is retiring at the end of the year.

“Why was the cow afraid? Because he was a cow-herd!”

This ASB Joke of the Day was delivered recently by principal’s secretary Susan Dini, her upbeat and cheerful voice resonating throughout campus. Surrounding her at the microphone were eight smiling faces filled with laughter, ASB members thankful to have Dini by their side as their supervisor for daily morning announcements.

“Everyone [at Saratoga High] has so much energy and dedication,” Dini said. “Any time I see someone stretch themselves and succeed, it becomes a special memory.”

Dini, 66, decided to retire, she said, because she “felt the time was right.”

Before pursuing a career in education, Dini worked at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, but quit after one year since she “hated working in cubicles.” In 1997, she became a clerical substitute for the San Jose Unified School District, working at Lincoln and Pioneer High Schools for six years each.

“I wanted to do something that I felt mattered, and I found [that] my ‘passion’ in life was working with young people, specifically with high schoolers,” Dini said.

Dini would like to continue working with younger children, as her plans for post-retirement include spending more time with her grandchildren and teaching drama and musical choreography at Achiever Christian, a private elementary school in San Jose.

Dini has always been involved with performing arts, having danced for over 60 years. After closing down her own dance studio years ago since it interfered with family time, Dini joined the San Jose Light opera and has performed in its company shows. She will play Goulda in the company’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” this fall.

Her musical talents have led her to receive awards for her choreography of various musicals, including “Forty Second Street.” She has choreographed high school musicals at Leland, Pioneer and Willow Glen, and Saratoga High’s production of “Guys and Dolls” this year. In order to remain connected to the school, she will return to choreograph the spring musical next year.

“I think that everyone should experience some type of performing arts to be a well-rounded individual,” Dini said. “I hope that people continue to do something they are passionate about and remain happy.”

Starting in June, the school will start looking for a replacement for Dini to ensure that the  final decision will be made by August. The office administration will conduct interviews, but the ultimate decision will be principal Paul Robinson’s. Because Robinson has worked so closely with Dini for the past four years, he feels she “will be tough to replace.”

“I will definitely miss all of the laughter and kind words she has for [people] who walk in the [office] doors,” Robinson said. “She brightens the room every time she enters it and is a very loving and positive person.”