Bound Brook's Joseph Pizzo named 2020 National Educator of the Year

Cheryl Makin
Bridgewater Courier News

For almost 47 years, Joseph Pizzo has been in a classroom in the Chester School District and he took his last sick day in 1986. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

A seventh grade language arts teacher at Black River Middle School, the longtime Bound Brook resident has been named the 2020 National Educator of the Year by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). 

"I was floored," said Pizzo, who was nominated by his former Principal Robert Mullen. "It's hard to get me at a loss for words, but this accomplished that."

Joseph Pizzo, a 7th grade integrated language arts teacher and co-director of drama at Black River Middle School in Chester, was named the "2020 National Educator of the Year" — a top honor from the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE).

The award recognizes outstanding educators at the middle school level who have made an impact on students through leadership, vision and advocacy.

"Receiving the AMLE 2020 Educator of the Year Award is a great honor, and I accept it on behalf of all of my outstanding, dedicated colleagues in middle level classrooms across our great nation," said Pizzo, who will receive the honor in October. 

Pizzo is humble – insisting it is his students that inspire his every day in the classroom since Nov. 3, 1975. 

"I have always leaned on the kids," Pizzo said. "They are the ones who are the so-called 'wind beneath my wings.' They are the ones who keep me going every day."

And after more than four decades in the classroom, retirement is still not in sight.

"For years people have asked me when I'm going to retire, and I always tell them – when I don't think I can make a difference anymore and when it isn't fun anymore," said Pizzo, who also is the school's co-director of drama.. "I enjoy coming to work. I enjoy being around the kids."

Even during a pandemic, when teaching isn't "normal," Pizzo remains both inspired and inspiring.

"The work I am getting is unbelievable," he said. "It is so powerful. And I said to the kids 'You are writing what you feel. You are not just writing an assignment. You are writing from the heart. You have connected to the heart and the head and they are working together — that is so important for writers. You have the passion that real writers experience when they write and that's what we want.'"

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Teaching from the head and heart has been the key to Pizzo's success. Unflinchingly genuine, Pizzo is guided by a mantra of kindness and positivity — Alex Haley's "Find the good and praise it."

"If there is one thing I try to live by, that's it," Pizzo said. "I'm always looking to see the good. My dad and my mom inspired me to do this as much as anyone. They are a big part of my life and the reason I became a teacher. I look for the good. And once you find the good and give it a little praise ... you know, as my mom would say, 'You get more with honey than you do with vinegar.'"

While middle school is not the easiest teaching environment, Pizzo would not want to be anywhere else. He realized this early on, inspired by his professors at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). 

"I want them (his middle school students) to have a sense of dignity and respect from me," Pizzo said. "Teaching at the middle level takes a great deal of energy, patience, integrity and flexibility, but the rewards are tremendous. We teachers make a great difference in the lives of our students, and our students make a great difference in our lives as well.

"I absolutely love my job. I would crawl here if I had to. Here, I can be around kids who have so much energy. And when you treat someone the right way — it's that giving kindness — you get that back." 

With the help of his teacher, Joseph Pizzo, seventh-grade student Michael Giannattasio wrote a patriotic poem to be featured on the Office of Veterans Affairs website.

Pizzo gives his students gentle guidance to be their best and do good in the world. He calls his classroom a "safe place" where students can make mistakes. He is quick to defuse any situations that can embarrass anyone, with a subtle look, shake of the head or a word or two. He makes sure his students know that he believes in them.

Nolan Cheng, a former student, who is now an attorney, wrote a letter supporting Pizzo's award nomination.

"I learned not just academics from him, but also just how important it is to be proactive in making other people’s lives around me better," Cheng said. "I have been very inspired by just his ability to see the needs of both his students and those around him. It is because of him that I do so much in my community and that I am always aware of the needs of others around me."

Pizzo "is kind, generous, and involved in all the students’ lives," said Black River Middle School Principal Andrew White. "Mr. Pizzo goes out of his way to mentor and work with struggling students as well as push those high-caliber writers in his classroom. Mr. Pizzo provides support and opportunities for his students that are greatly appreciated by the teachers, families and community of Chester."

An adjunct professor at Centenary University in Hackettstown, Pizzo also has taught at the College of Saint Elizabeth and Union County College. As a member of the NJ Autism Think Tank, Pizzo helps prepare future teachers and aspiring writers.

He also was inducted into the WWOR-TV, Channel 9,  "A+ for Teachers Hall of Fame." In 2016, Pizzo was named the New Jersey Association for Middle Level Education Teacher of the Year.

Pizzo has a simple wish for his legacy.

"I just wanted to be a part of their life," Pizzo said. "Anything else has come about through good fortunes and the blessings from heaven."

Email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is a features reporter for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her award-winning work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today