Joseph Caito began his career in education in 1969, the year of the moon landing. More than five decades later, he’s stepping away after a lifetime spent serving students.

Caito dedicated nearly 53 and a half years as a teacher, counselor, and principal, most notably with Akron Public Schools. Known for his steady presence and old-school values, he believed deeply in structure, fairness, and building strong relationships.

“Kids want structure,” Caito said. “They want to know where they’ll be treated fairly.”

He joined Akron Public Schools in 1970 as a 6th-grade teacher and officially retired in 2005, but stayed on for nearly two more decades at the district’s request. His most impactful years were spent as principal at Riedinger Middle School, where he led a diverse student body facing significant economic challenges.

Caito also introduced innovative ideas, including extended reading and math blocks that helped boost student achievement.

Outside the classroom, he built a long career as a sports official, earning induction into the Akron Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022. Even in retirement, he continues officiating school sports.

After more than 50 years, Caito says the lesson remains simple: care about people, show up, and do your best, every day.