Joe Tarello passed away recently.  He was a chemistry teacher at SHS for 58 years before his retirement in June of  this year. 

Joseph Tarello, a proud graduate of Somerville High School Class of 1959 and a Somerville High School educator for fifty-eight years, passed away recently after a brief illness.  From 1964 to 2022, Mr. Tarello served as a science educator at SHS. During his career he was also the National Honor Society advisor, Class Day & Graduation Exercises faculty chairman, Student Council advisor, and principal of Somerville Evening School. 

Joe is survived by his son Mark Tarello of Binghamton, New York. Funeral arrangements are private.  Donations can be made to the Somerville Teachers’ Scholarship Fund in memory of Joseph Tarello (information below). Prior to his passing, the City of Somerville memorialization committee had accepted the school’s request to dedicate the fourth floor chemistry classroom wing to honor Joe’s legacy. This ceremony will be held at a date to be determined later this year. 

Joe  began his career in education at Boston State College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Chemistry from Union College in 1970, and continued to pursue his love of Chemistry through graduate courses throughout his career.  Mr. Tarello worked tirelessly in the field of science education, serving as a contributing author of the widely used Modern Chemistry textbook. He was the Massachusetts Region IV science fair chair and an adjunct professor at Bunker Hill Community College; he led multiple nation-wide professional development sessions for science educators through the National Science Foundation, National Science Teacher Association, and American Chemical Society.  He received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Somerville Jaycees in 1970, the National Association of Science Teachers’ Physical Science Education Award in MA in 1982, the MA Science Teacher of the Year from The Scientific Research Society in 1989, and the North Shore Science Supervisors’ Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Science Teachers Hall of Fame in 2015.

In his time as a chemistry teacher, he made a long-lasting impact on Somerville High School, his fellow science educators, most importantly, on his students. Throughout his 58-year career, Mr. Tarello has touched the lives of thousands of students and many attribute their inspiration and success to him.

–   “Mr. Tarello has affected my life deeply. He got me interested in science. He helped me develop my talents. He taught me how to work independently. He forced me to look beyond the confines of Somerville… and to strive for goals I never thought were achievable. He gave me the support and confidence to reach outside of myself. He truly was the catalyst in my life.” –Elisabeth M. Battinelli (‘87)

–   “Having had the opportunity to study physical chemistry with Mr. Tarello for two consecutive years, I found myself exceptionally well prepared to accept the challenges of advanced-level science courses at Brown University. Mr. Tarello’s doctrine in science includes a creative and comprehensive approach to scientific learning that is unparalleled in high school education, and I am proud to be one of his disciples. He served as a role model for many students, and is admired by his colleagues for his excellence in the teaching profession and for his leadership in the organization, development, and implementation of high school science competitions at the local, state, and regional levels.” –Michael J. Lucherini (‘82)

–  “Mr. Joseph Tarello is certainly among the finest high school chemistry teachers in the nation and should be recognized for his extraordinary efforts. Mr. Tarello demonstrated a genuine concern for his student’s current and future goals. He provided critical guidance and encouragement and served as a role model for all of us. He provided me with the fundamental skills, intellectual curiosity, and motivation needed to succeed in college, medical school, and in the practice of cardiovascular medicine.” –David S. Pladziewicz, M.D. (‘76)

– “I find it difficult to recall any other primary educator who left more of an impression on my decision to pursue a scientific career than Joe Tarello. His enthusiasm and high energy combined with high standards and expectations held for his students is a formulation for a model high school teacher.” – Robert C. Fazio, Ph.D. (‘73)

-Somerville Public Schools