Living the Dream: Four Decades in Education and Counting

For most educators, retirement signals the end of early mornings, lesson plans, and parent-teacher conferences. Many teachers look forward to it but also feel sadness about leaving their classroom behind.

But for Scott Dearth, retirement simply meant the beginning of the best chapter of his 43-year career.

Scott officially retired from Oak Hills Local Schools in 2019 after decades of dedicated service in public education. He thought he’d ease into a quiet part-time role. Instead, he found himself right back in the classroom—this time as an Intervention Specialist for OptimALL Services.

“I was looking for a part-time job,” Scott laughs, “and God decided I needed a full-time one.”

That “coincidence” led him to St. Jude School on Cincinnati’s Westside, where he still serves today with the same passion he’s carried on day one. But now, he does it with a much smaller caseload and a much bigger smile.

From Public to Private: A Surprising Upgrade

Having spent the bulk of his career in public schools, Scott has a unique vantage point. When asked how services at a Catholic school through OptimALL compare to what he experienced for decades in public education, his answer is immediate.

“I actually think we provide more services here than many students would receive in public school, and definitely more individualized attention,” he says.

With fewer students on his caseload, Scott can spend real time with each child. He pushes into classrooms for true inclusion, collaborates with speech therapists and instructional aides, and still has the bandwidth to address the whole child—academically, socially, and spiritually.

Faith + Skill Set = The Perfect Marriage

Scott says the ability to openly integrate faith into his daily work has been life changing. He also believes it provides an extra advantage for the students who are receiving direct services.

“My relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in my life,” he says. “Here, I can pray with and for students. I can talk about virtues, about what God wants for their lives. In public school I felt limited. Here I feel free.”

That freedom creates moments of authentic connection you simply don’t find everywhere. When a child is struggling, Scott can meet them where they are and, when appropriate, gently point them toward hope, purpose, and love.

“It’s the perfect marriage of my faith and my skill set,” he says. “I get to be an educator, I get to build real relationships, and I get to bring my whole self into the work. There’s so much more positivity in the conversations here.”

He also has praise for the administration at St. Jude, which he says has really worked to expand the special education program. He’s seen improvements every year.

“St. Jude has really put it at the forefront, and OptimALL has helped make that possible in Catholic schools across the region,” he says.

Still Going Strong After 43 Years

Four decades in education is a milestone most teachers only dream of reaching. For Scott Dearth, it’s proof that when you combine years of expertise with an environment that values the whole child, retirement becomes irrelevant.

Because some people aren’t called to step away from the classroom. They’re called to step deeper in.

To support direct services and special education for students in Catholic and religious schools, click here.