George Padaroff (1931-2025)

With great sadness, we have learned that George Padaroff, DSW English Teacher, passed away May 16, 2025, at the age of 93. Mr. Padaroff was an English teacher and  Department Chairman from 1968 to 1996 at both the Logan and Chateau Drive campuses. During his 28 years at the School, he assumed many roles and made a difference in the lives of countless students and colleagues.

During his early years, he established the School’s literature-based English program by writing a curriculum based upon the middle- and high-school models. He championed independent thinking by developing a program to teach young people to speak publicly, and he arranged class trips to Arena Stage in Washington, knowing that live actors on stage would enrich his students’ love for the English language.  He was known as a strict but fair disciplinarian,  who, upon occasion,  asked younger students to act out the role of a part of speech. He educated hundreds of students, graded thousands of essays, encouraged their work, offered advice at school meetings, guided younger teachers, and more. Perhaps he was most proud of his role as the spokesperson for the Teachers-Employee Association by ensuring fair working conditions and reasonable faculty/staff salaries.

Current employees in our admin office still remember him along with a few students coming to the office bringing potted plants from his classroom at the start of summer break so the plants could be cared for in the offices that are open year-round while teachers and students were away. He clearly cared about the atmosphere of his classroom.

George Padaroff was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Mary (neé Nosal) and Jack Padaroff. From an early age, he was interested in music and languages. His enthusiasm for the German language began when he was drafted into the US Army and sent to Germany. During his time off, while in the Army, he travelled throughout Europe. After his honorable discharge, he used his GI bill to study at Penn State, as well as in  Munich, and in Göttingen, mastering the German language. After his years at the German International School Washington D.C., he retired to Charlottesville, VA, where he would host musicians and play the harpsicord for his guests. He was made an honorary member of the German School Society and was frequently honored by former students, who said his teaching had made a difference in their lives.  At the age of 90, he remarked, “I very much missed going into a classroom and interacting with the students in a teaching-learning environment, but my retirement has, nevertheless, been rewarding.”  In later years, he moved to Lehigh Commons Macungie Retirement Home, where he passed away this May. Gravesite services were held on May 21, 2025, at St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Cemetery in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania.  He was predeceased by his four siblings: Victor, Stephanie, Josephine, and Mildred.

The German International School community sends George’s family and friends its sincere condolences.

Picture Descriptions:

Top row, left to right:

George Padaroff with beret.

George Padaroff with his 8B Class at the Chateau Drive campus (1986).

George Padaroff teaching his senior English class at the Logan Drive campus.

Bottom row, left to right:

Retired:  George Padaroff plays Bach on his harpsichord at his home in Charlottesville, VA (2011).

George Padaroff and Peter Dreher at a memorial service for DSW (now GISW) cofounder Annemarie Chretien (2017).

George Padaroff during his university days.