I have read that Mr. Charles Portolano, who has been a PE teacher at the Fountain Hills Middle School for as long as I can remember, will no longer be a part of our education system here in Fountain Hills.

This is a very sad day for the future children in our community for they will not have the privilege to have such a kind, educated, role model and professional PE teacher.

Mr. Portolano was a wonderful encourager to our son when he attended the middle school. Mr. Portolano always had a smile on his face every time you saw him. He showed boys you can be an athlete and still have a great attitude. He showed the boys that they can be competitive but do it with a humble heart. He showed boys to be respectful to girls.

He showed his students that he was a wonderful husband and father.

If you happened to see Mr. Portolano in town he would say hello and had the time to chat with our son.

I will say that not many teachers stick out to me as a fine example of what education is really about. But Mr. Portolano to me is a shining star in a very dark world. You will be greatly missed. God bless you, Mr. Portolano. I know that you will be a success wherever you go and you will continue to serve people with a great attitude.