Ilion High School - Class of 1938

Herkimer Evening Telegram - September 8, 1964

Qualifies For Superintendent

Article 13

Qualifies For Superintendent

ILION - Constantine J. Panarites, 3 Armory St., a world history teacher in Ilion Central High School, has been granted certification for superintendent of schools by the New York State Education Department - a goal he has aimed at for 12 years.

Panarites operated the family restaurant on Otsego St. for 11 years, then returned to the teaching field.

A 1938 graduate of Ilion High School, Panarites received his bachelor of science degree in business administration from Syracuse University in 1942. In 1942-43, he served in the Marine Corps before returning to Ilion and the restaurant business.

His first teaching job came in 1944-45 when he agreed to a request by the late Dr. Earl P. Watkins, school superintendent, to direct athletics at Ilion High School. Although he was not trained for that particular job, athletic directors were scarce due to the war.

Later, Panarites returned to the restaurant business for 10 years. Still interested in teaching, he went back to Syracuse University. In 1956, he had earned his master of science degree.

The following year he taught social studies at Ilion High School. Simultaneously he embarked on a one-year internship program under direction of Schools Superintendent George H. Purple. He served as administrative assistant at Falconer Central School in 1958.

In 1959 he again returned to the Ilion school system where he has since been instructing senior high school world history.

The certification qualifications are four years of college, a minimum of two years graduate work with 60 semester hours, one year internship, five years either teaching or administration work. Panarites did the graduate work at Syracuse University during summers and evenings.

His wife is also a teacher, the former Dorothy Annes, of Syracuse. They have two daughters, Helen and Frebronia.