CIS instructor Tony Conti retires from HFC after four decades

Teaching has always been a significant part of HFC CIS Instructor Tony Conti’s family.

“My father, Emilio Conti, was a math teacher at Edison Junior High School, Stout Middle School, Edsel Ford High School, and Fordson High School. He had a huge influence on me,” recalled Conti. “I watched him with admiration as he passionately worked to make math accessible and engaging for his students. His dedication to teaching inspired me deeply, and I could see how rewarding it was to help others learn. My four siblings and I all earned teaching certificates.”

Conti has taught at HFC for nearly 40 years. He joined the HFC (then Henry Ford Community College) faculty in the Fall 1985 semester. He is retiring Monday, June 30. His retirement plans include traveling and spending more time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, and serving with his wife at their church.

“What I’ll miss most are the meaningful connections I’ve built with both students and colleagues at HFC. The relationships, collaboration, and daily interactions have made my time here truly special,” he said. “It's been a rewarding journey, and I've had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of the College over the years.”

The pivotal role of his father's insight

Born in Detroit, Conti grew up in Dearborn. He and Tina, his wife of nearly 43 years, live in Livonia. The couple has five children and 11 grandchildren.

Conti attended HFC for two semesters before transferring to Western Michigan University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in data processing and his teaching certificate. Conti subsequently earned his master’s degree in business management from Central Michigan University.

“What really stood out to me was the personalized learning environment at HFC,” said Conti. “The small class sizes allowed for meaningful interactions, and I appreciated how the full-time instructors were genuinely engaged with their students. The sense of community and the faculty's commitment to student success left a lasting impression on me, and it played a big part in my decision to become a full-time instructor.”

His father played a role in Conti pursuing computer science.

“When I was choosing a minor, I leaned toward physics because I had always enjoyed math and saw it as an essential skill,” said Conti. “But my father encouraged me to explore data processing instead. He recognized the growing importance of technology and believed that computer science would play a pivotal role. His advice turned out to be incredibly insightful. It sparked my interest in the field and set me on the path to pursuing a career in computer science.”

Seeing students’ reactions in real time is incredibly rewarding

Conti pursued professional development opportunities throughout his teaching career, and worked as a computer consultant and application developer. He took on projects that allowed him to stay on top of emerging technologies.

“One notable achievement was designing, coding, and implementing the City of Dearborn’s 19th District jury selection system,” he said. “This project honed my technical skills and provided hands-on experience in creating practical, real-world solutions.”

Conti began his career as a substitute teacher in the Dearborn Public Schools. From there, he joined Burroughs Corporation in Detroit as a computer analyst, then worked for other computer consulting firms. Eventually he turned back to teaching and joined HFC, where his industry knowledge and experience add value for students.

“My favorite classes challenge students to code and develop program solutions. I enjoy guiding them through problem-solving techniques and watching them gain confidence as they bring their ideas to life through code,” he explained. “There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing the students’ reactions in real time – whether it's a moment of realization, or when a complex concept finally clicks. I love it when I can see the ‘light bulb’ go on for them. Those moments reinforce the power of direct connection and engagement in the classroom.”

Heart and soul of the family

“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with so many amazing instructors, including Tony,” said HFC CIS faculty chair Dr. David Maier. “He always demonstrates the highest standards in professionalism, collegiality, pedagogy, classroom management, and subject matter expertise.”

Conti participated in various committees at HFC. One that stands out was being a member of the Assisted Learning Services Advisory Committee.

“It was a rewarding experience, allowing me to contribute to the development and enhancement of support services for students and ensuring they had the resources to succeed,” he said. “The best part of working at HFC is seeing students develop and grow their technology skills over time. And I value the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated faculty, administrators, and support staff who contribute to making this work meaningful.”

One of Conti’s most important support people has been his wife.

“For years, Tina has been the heart and soul of our family, a true anchor in our lives,” he said. “She dedicated herself fully to our children's well-being, education, and growth. From driving them to sporting events and music practices to home-schooling three of them, Tina has been a constant source of love and support. She created a nurturing environment where our children could thrive, learn, and feel deeply cared for. Her selflessness, unwavering dedication, and immense love have shaped the foundation of our family, and I am endlessly grateful for her.”

A note about retiree stories

We value the contributions of all our retirees. When we become aware of a colleague's official intent to retire, we reach out to them to ask if we can write a story about them, to share their contributions and allow others to recognize and appreciate them. Some of our retirees decline to participate in the retiree story series. We respect their wishes and their privacy. If there is a retiree whom you want to see recognized in this series, you can talk to that person, or reach out to HFC Communications. We will let you know if the person has declined to have a story published. In some cases, we might not be aware of their plans to retire.

—HFC Marketing and Communications