Daniel Macko Named Cimino Teacher of the Year

For Daniel Macko, physical education means more than simply tossing a ball around.

The P.E. coach views his job as an integral part of the education system at Cimino Elementary School in Valrico where keeping physically fit goes hand in hand with classroom instruction.

"Studies have shown the brain is more functional and a child learns better if he is physically fit," said Macko. "That's why it's such a shame to see schools cut back on physical education. In this society where children are spending so much time playing video games or watching TV, it's more important than ever for them to go outside and play."

The 26-year-old has been teaching just three years, all three at Cimino. Nevertheless, his commitment toward his job and his mission to keep his students fit caught the attention of his peer teachers this year, who named him Cimino's Teacher of the Year.

It's an honor that both surprised and overwhelmed Macko.

"I found out on the day we were doing our Dance Out Drugs at the school," said Macko. At the annual event during Say No to Drugs Week, students perform line dances Macko taught them.

"I was getting ready for the performance and I was dressed as a congo dancer with a wig and the outfit when I happened to walk into the school office," he said. "My principal (Debbie Talley) told me to wait a minute and then she announced over the intercom that I was the Teacher of the Year. I was so amazed that my fellow teachers thought I was worthy of the honor."

Macko may have been destined to become a P.E. teacher. Raised in Valrico he spent his youth playing soccer for the Brandon Area Youth Soccer League and other leagues. He attended Bloomingdale High School where, at the age of 15, he became a volunteer for the Students and Parents Community Education program at Valrico Elementary School.

Created by his uncle, Valrico Elementary physical education teacher Sam Macko, SPACE is an enrichment program for students in help increase classroom performance.

"My uncle served as a kind of mentor to me, and I worked at Valrico Elementary through high school and college," Macko said. "The experience made me realize how much I love working with kids and prepared me for a career in teaching."

Macko went on to major in physical education at the University of South Florida, graduating in 2009.

"I sent my resume to probably 30 schools after graduation," he said. "Then one day the job at Cimino popped up. I just had a feeling I'd get hired there, and I got an interview with Mrs. Talley three days later. She's great. I can't imagine working anywhere else."

During his first year teaching, he was determined that his physical education classes wouldn't simply be playtime.

"People think P.E. is just fun and games. Fun is part of it but physical education isn't about just throwing a ball around," he said. "It's about setting goals, mastering new skills, learning about healthy competition and teamwork.

"When I first started, I had students who didn't even know how to skip, much less dribble a basketball," he said. "With me, they learn sports skills."

Macko also initiated several events that have become Cimino traditions including field day, the Dance Out Drugs, a hike-athon and the Jump Rope for Hearts to benefit the American Heart Association. He also helped the PTA raise $60,000 for a covered basketball court at the school that was completed in December.

"It's really sad. In America, obesity and diabetes have become epidemic, and it's all linked to fitness and nutrition," he said. "We need more physical education in the schools, not less. Now that I've been here three years, I can see a big difference in my students."

In addition to teaching at Cimino, Macko is involved with the youth ministry at his church, The Element. He's engaged to be married to Summerfield Crossing Elementary School kindergarten teacher, Tina Hancock, in March.