Congratulations to Ralph Milazzo, Walt Whitman High School’s Teacher of the Year! Mr. Milazzo has been teaching in the South Huntington School District at Walt Whitman High School since 2012. He started out as a substitute, and has been a full time Social Studies teacher at Whitman for the past seven years. When he’s not in the classroom, you’ll find Mr. Milazzo on the athletic field or in the gym. He’s the Assistant Varsity Football Coach, JV Girls Basketball Coach, and Girls Flag Football Head Coach. Which explains why he describes his closets as “full of football and basketball merch” and why maroon is the number one color in his wardrobe!
Mr. Milazzo’s sister served as his role model and one of his inspirations in becoming a teacher and coach. She also pursued a career as a Social Studies teacher. Throughout his middle and high school years, Mr. Milazzo credits the many great teachers he had that gave him a passion for history and motivated him to want to pass that on to future students. His students and athletes have helped him grow as a teacher and coach, adapting his lessons and strategies to motivate different students in different ways because he’s learned that not every student learns the same way.
Mr. Milazzo’s colleagues describe him as a passionate educator and a competitive and motivating coach who pushes his players to be the best they possibly can while still supporting their emotional needs. It is not unheard of to see him hugging a player when they are in despair, supporting them and letting them know how important they are. As an advisor to Natural Helpers, he is compassionate and empathetic. His constant presence at the high school and his focus on students succeeding is why so many have come to know him as “Mr. Whitman.”
Mr. Milazzo has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies Adolescence Education and a Master's Degree in Political Science from LIU Post. He also received an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the College of Saint Rose in 2021.
Walt Whitman Principal John Murphy called Mr. Milazzo “one of the unsung heroes of the school, embodying the qualities of a true educator, dedicated to his craft and the students he serves. He is an example that teachers do make a difference in their students’ lives.”
Mr. Milazzo is humbled to be named Teacher of the Year, and so honored to receive this award because of the great educators who have received it in the past and because of his amazing Whitman colleagues he says are just as deserving of receiving this honor. “I pour my heart and soul into everything I do at Whitman in order to make an impact in the lives of my students and athletes and this award shows that those efforts do not go unnoticed.”