Q&A with 2008 Contra Costa Teacher of the Year

Diablo chats with Bristow Middle School music teacher Mark Morello

Diablo gave Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year for 2008-2009, Mark Morello of Bristow Middle School in Brentwood a quick calk to chat about his award and his love for teaching music.
 
Diablo: Congratulations to you on being selected as Teacher of the Year!
Mark Morello: Thank you!  It was very exciting!  It was actually my 35th birthday the night I received the award, so that made it even more special.

Diablo: What are the grades you teach, and what subjects?
Mark Morello: I teach sixth through eighth grades: sixth grade band and a combined seventh and eighth grade band.  I also teach a jazz band that meets before schoolthat consists of seventh and eighth graders, as well as a sixth through eighth grade choir class and a music appreciation class.  And I¹ve been helping out recently with the music for the school drama production “The Music Man” that’s coming out next month.

Diablo: How did you decide to choose to teach?
Mark Morello: My high school band director, Mark Aubell, was a really inspiring teacher who helped me with my trumpet and loved music, and it also seemed that he had a lot of fun teaching. While I was in college I thought about being a high school band director, but I fell in love with teaching elementary school kids when I was a student teacher—and now, middle school kids.

Diablo: How long have you been teaching?
Mark Morello: This is my thirteenth year; I started in 1995. It¹s my third year teaching at Bristow Middle School.

Diablo: What were your thoughts when you received the award?
Mark Morello: When they announced my name, I was really blown away because the other two finalists were outstanding. I was really happy to have represented the Brentwood district - the Assistant Superintendent told me that I was the first employee of the Brentwood Union School District to win county teacher of the year.

Diablo: What are your interests outside of teaching?
Mark Morello: Well, I have a 21 month-old son, Giovanni, who keeps my wife and I really busy, so my focus has been on him.  I like taking him out to the park.  He’s really my main interest...along with my wife, of course.  (laughs)  I enjoy just hanging out, or going bowling with my family, those normal little things. I also like to play the trumpet out in the community with different orchestras or bands.
 

For more information about the Contra Costa Teacher of the year awards, click here.

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