SAYREVILLE – A longtime theater teacher in the Sayreville School District is retiring after almost four decades of service during which he directed more than 70 productions.
Dr. Michael Piccuirro, the drama and theater teacher at Sayreville War Memorial High School, will retire from the district at the beginning of 2018. The Board of Education voted to honor his retirement at a meeting on July 18.
According to Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe, Piccuirro has taught in the district for 36 years and is known by many as “Dr. P.” Labbe described Piccuirro as being inspiring and instrumental to the school district for many years.
“As a theater teacher at the high school, Dr. P has worked with students of all ability levels, not only mastering the related skills such as reading, speaking and listening and writing, but in building their confidence and working collaboratively with them to hone in their performance skills,” Labbe said. “With directing two productions a year, Dr. P has led the theater department in over 70 different musical productions.
“His talent, leadership and dedication to our students is not only admirable, it’s incredibly inspiring,” Labbe said. “And he certainly will be sorely missed by all of us.”
The final production Piccuirro will direct at the high school will be “The Good Doctor” by Neil Simon, according to the superintendent.
“We do encourage everyone to come on out for his last musical production, which I know will be as amazing if not more amazing than the past 70,” Labbe said.
The superintendent added that “The Good Doctor” was the first play Piccuirro directed and produced.
“Dr. P, we love you,” he said. “We’re going to miss you dearly. But, we wish you the absolute best in the next exciting chapter of your lifelong production.”
Board member John Walsh also spoke highly of Piccuirro.
“I wish I could vote no on Dr. P,” Walsh said. “I got to work with him as a teacher and I was here as a student, [although] I was never in theater. It’s going to be a big loss. He was a great guy and [being a theater teacher] is not an easy job.”
Contact Matthew Sockol at msockol@newspapermediagroup.com.
