LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

« Return to Nominee List

Matthew Guarino

Position: Music Teacher
School: Juan Morel Campos Secondary School
School District: New York City Department of Education #14
City, State: Brooklyn, NY

Support Matthew Leave a comment

Matthew Guarino was nominated by a friend, Jon Lijoi.

"Mr. Guarino is a 12th-year Music Teacher at Juan Morel Campos Secondary School in Brooklyn. He teaches Modern Band to students ranging from 6th through 12th grade. Modern Band focuses on instruments like the electric guitar, keyboard, bass guitar, and drums while enabling students to experience playing music from various genres ranging from Rock, R&B, Pop, Bachata, and Motown. Mr. Guarino's bands perform these genres of music throughout the school year at several events meant to celebrate the diversity of the school community. These include a LatinX Celebration in October and a Black History Month concert in February," said Lijoi.

"His students have a broad range of backgrounds, and many are some combination of special ed, ELL, and/or NEST. 'Mr. G,' as his students call him, tailors his teaching methods to meet the needs of each student. By the end of the school year, his students consistently show noticeable growth because they are given the tools and support of Mr. Guarino to develop their new skills and confidently perform for their community. Mr. Guarino is so dedicated to his students that he travels four hours a day to teach them," said Lijoi.

"He was once a child with a passion for music and the drive to teach himself multiple instruments at a time when digital resources like YouTube did not yet exist. Eventually, he turned his love of music into a successful one-person band YouTube channel named 'Matty G the Musician.' Today, he shares that lifelong passion with his students daily and has enriched countless lives," said Lijoi.

Comments