George Jenkins High School Teacher Wins the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Math Teacher of the Year

Sometimes in life, the people around you try their best to convince you two plus two equals five. Polk County Public Schools math teacher, Michael Marocco knows this all too well. He says he’s always wanted to be a teacher. But when he first expressed this goal to one of his former teachers the response was, “Don’t teach. Make more money.”

He went off to Syracuse University, eventually graduating with a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. During the job search he became a substitute teacher. This experience proved to be his life’s greatest gift. He rediscovered his passion and learned to follow his heart.

Today he is proud to say he teaches AP Statistics, Honors Statistics and Algebra II to upperclassmen at George Jenkins High School in Lakeland. In honor of his unwavering devotion to the teaching profession and excellence in the classroom, he’s been honored by the Central Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) as Math Teacher of the Year.

“My goal each year is to do the best job I can to teach and help my students succeed in the classroom,” says Mr. Marocco. “Last year’s AP statistics class was my biggest success story. 14 out of 15 AP students I taught throughout the entire academic school year passed the exam. I was extremely proud of that class. I hope to see the same success again this year.”

Mr. Marocco also holds a master of math education from the University of South Florida Tampa.

Each year the Central Florida Section of the AIChE, recognizes a Teacher of the Year in secondary science and math. Two Central Florida teachers are chosen in their respective area of specialty. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers provides leadership to the chemical engineering profession. One of the organization’s goals is to support excellence in education.