Always optimistic and willing to help, government teacher Matt Malkovich has been teaching since the school opened and on Friday, Oct. 1, he was named Teacher of the Year.

Teachers were nominated by their colleagues anonymously, writing a paragraph or two explaining their nomination.

Throughout the whole time he has been here, this is Malkovich’s first time winning this title. 

“I’m surprised, humbled and honored. I did not expect it and am still pinching myself to verify that it’s true,” Malkovich said.

 He teaches all levels of government including AP, Honors, and Standard. His main goal as a teacher has been to help students succeed and push them towards the finish line.

“My focus and goals have been the same since day one, 21 years ago. I want to help young adults be the best they can be,” Malkovich said.

In addition to his regular classes, he coaches track in the spring and helps students with credit recovery both during school time and over the summer. Malkovich started teaching thanks to two of his coaches, Rod Shurtz and Don Webb, that he had back when he was young. Both coaches helped increase Malkovich’s confidence, pushing him to join the education field in order to do the same.

“Mr. Malkovich is an outstanding teacher, he has positive relationships with his students, is always helping out around campus, and subs classes when we are short staffed,” principal Robert Frasca said. “He is an outstanding representative of the faculty and staff of our school”