Michael DePasquale is a man of many interests. From radio commentary, to band directing, to riding motorcycles, DePasquale has done a little bit of everything. This year, he has added another new experience to his repertoire as an assistant principal and the Director of Night School at Portage High School.
DePasquale, who has been a teacher for 15 years, had been the PHS band director. He now has an unconventional schedule and is adjusting to the new job.
“I’m here half day during the school day as an assistant principal and doing disciplinary work and then I run an alternative night school for students who need to gain credits, but in an alternative environment. The new job has been a really good challenge and really exciting,” DePasquale said.
DePasquale came to Portage as a high school and middle school band director. He was a part of the District Quality Schools team and the Site-Based team at Willowcreek Middle School. DePasquale was also the director of the marching band and pep band and was involved in several other activities. He has enjoyed music from a young age.
“I was three years old when I started piano lessons. My grandfather bought me my first trombone and then I started playing trombone when I was in fourth grade,” he said.
DePasquale has been in the Portage Township Schools system for 12 years. Prior to starting his tenure in Portage, he spent three years teaching in Central Illinois. Although he no longer teaches music during the school day,
DePasquale has remained involved in the music department at PHS. During the fall, he pulled double duty working with the marching band and serving as the Director of Night School. He spent countless hours and many late nights at PHS.
Even though his schedule has calmed down this winter, he still spends many hours inside the walls of the school.
“Usually I start Tuesdays through Thursdays right around 11:00. I’ll do discipline, lunch duties, any other administrative jobs that are necessary. Then, at 3:00 I go over to our night alternative area which is Room B15 at Portage High School West. Our students come in in the evening and they take their courses. Mondays and Fridays I actually come in at normal school times. Fridays are my lucky days because I get to leave at 3:00 like everybody else does, but other nights I’m usually here until about 8:30,” he said.
Even on Friday nights, DePasquale can usually be spotted at Portage basketball games either helping direct the band, doing administrative duties or taking in the action. When he does spend some spare time away from PHS, he enjoys motorcycle racing, golfing and being highly involved in his church. Despite the commitment that has been required of his position, he has soaked up every minute of the new experience.
“Interacting with students is my favorite part of my job. Getting to see students on a daily basis working toward higher learning and just becoming better young adults is great,” he said.
Another benefit of DePasquale’s new position is that it has allowed him to get to know and work with a wider range of students, not just those involved with the music department.
“I think that we have a great variety of students with many different interests. They have to deal with all the different challenges that every other student in any other community has to deal with it. It’s been interesting and has offered me a lot of opportunities for learning,” he said.
DePasquale has left the music department in good hands. PHS has three concert bands, taught by Robert Symer and Bridget Fine, who is substituting for DePasquale for this year while he serves in an administrative capacity. The marching band was headed up by Timmerman this year, with assistance from Drew Rohda.
DePasquale’s future is still undecided, but he plans on taking advantage of whatever opportunities are presented to him.
“I’m one of those people; I kind of see where the career path guides me, and I would definitely be interested in an administrative job if that opens up at Portage. An administrative job would definitely be something that I would look forward to.”