Sameera Pasha and Jonathan Too
Joseph Demarco is well known as a chemistry and engineering teacher at Cardozo. In addition to working in the science department, he is very involved with the school’s Green Team Club. He has been teaching at Cardozo High School for six years. “I was a teacher at another school and I was trying to find a better working condition and a shorter commute because I was working in Brooklyn,” Mr. Demarco shared. “So, I was trying to find something closer and a better atmosphere.”
When he was in high school, Mr. Demarco wanted to become a pharmacist. “That is why I was so into chemistry,” he expressed. When he was in college, he started to tutor and he realized he fell in love with helping people learn and grow. Before becoming a teacher, he was working in construction so he could pay off his student loans. He was two weeks away from getting into the Police Academy. Then, he got a job at his old school as a teacher.
One of Mr. Demarco’s favorite things about teaching is building connections with his students. “Being able to foster the relationship and being able to see them grow throughout the year, also see them struggle with something and see them get it and see that light bulb go off. I absolutely love that moment of teaching,” he revealed.
When asked about what his proudest moment of teaching is, he shared “I can’t really pinpoint one specific moment but there are definitely broad moments when students are struggling throughout the whole year but they kept working hard and were able to take the regents and pass it.”
However, as all teachers do, Mr. Demarco shared that he struggles sometimes. He shared that organization and patience are two things he struggles with as an educator.
Mr. Demarco also shared that he is proud of the labs that he has developed. “I try to do as many hands-on activities as I can with my students so they have a better learning experience and it sticks more in their heads,” he stated.
The science teacher has been influenced by many people, but specifically his grandfather. “My grandfather was always light-hearted and easygoing. He teaches how nothing really bothers you outside of your control and is proud of what you have done and when you work hard at something you are going to achieve it,” he confessed.
Outside of school, Mr. Demarco enjoys hiking and kayaking, as well as golfing. “Outside of my job, I do a lot of home renovation being a new home owner. I try to do as much as I can to spend as much time with my niece and nephew. Family is really important to me.”
Some advice that Mr.Demarco would share with his students is, “Don’t care about what people think. If you concentrate on what you are doing and what you have to do. Other people’s success or failures should not affect you.”