High School Chemistry teacher Michael Funicelli is a popular face around the district. Funicelli has a likable personality and a sarcastic sense of humor that students enjoy.
Funicelli cracks jokes and is good at making the students laugh. He keeps the students engaged whenever needed and tends to make his class interesting with the different labs assigned.
“Mr. Funicelli works extremely hard to ensure his students understand chemistry. His love for chemistry allows him to teach passionately and be willing to help his students. He is such a great person and puts his heart into everything. Whether I need advice or help to understand his chemistry class, he’s always there to help! He truly deserves this award for Teacher of the Week,” junior Miley Fink said.
Besides teaching chemistry, Funicelli is the head coach of the golf team, advisor of both Quiz League and Golden Revolution, and teaches a 7th-grade science class.
EE: What inspired you to go into teaching and/or choose the subject you teach?
MF: In my younger years, I had several great teachers motivate me to enter this profession. As far as why chemistry, I always had an interest in the sciences, specifically chemistry, but I was terrible at learning it in high school.
EE: What is your favorite thing about teaching?
MF: Snow days. And building great relationships with some great people.
EE: What are some of your hobbies and interests?
MF: Golf, puzzles, board games, and watching the Bears stink at football.
EE: What is some good advice you’ve been given as a teacher?
MF: You only have to be one day smarter than the students.
EE: What is the hardest part of teaching and why?
MF: Motivating students who do not want to learn for one reason or another.
EE: What are some of the jobs you held before getting into teaching?
MF: Bingo caller, mink farmer, potato harvester, window fabricator, Jiffy Lube mechanic, and tutor.
EE: What is your best advice to students?
MF: Worry about your grade on the first day of the marking period, not the last day.
