History teacher Anthony Del Puppo sat among the masses of students at the University of Maryland’s law school orientation, but six years later he found himself accepting the award for JC teacher of the year.

In his speech, Del Puppo confessed that his original plan was to become a lawyer. However, after the loss of his father, he started to question his career choice.

“I wanted to make a difference. It hit me that the path I was on wouldn’t lead to anywhere good,” said Del Puppo.  After quitting law school, he attended Washington College where he received his Masters degree in History.

Most students who have had Del Puppo as a teacher will agree with junior Nick Frijia, who said, “He’s a great teacher and he does his best to make class not just educational but worthwhile.”

Even his fellow teachers sing his praises. “He’s not just teaching history, he’s making it,” history department chair Jacob Hollin said.

“He’s a shining example of what our department strives to be,” history teacher Jim Fendryk said.

He has a passion for what he is teaching, which helps get students enthusiastic about learning history. “I love studying the past and understanding humanity better,” Del Puppo said.

One of his favorite aspects about teaching is holding in-class discussions. “I love seeing what they know and imparting what I know,” said Del Puppo.

He has been able to incorporate another passion into teaching, which is his love of outdoor activities. He loves hosting yearly camping trips for students.

One signature characteristic of Del Puppo is his confidence in his opinions and beliefs, and his assuredness earns him respect from his students. “He’s one of the most professional teachers I’ve had. It makes sense that he won because so many of my friends love him and respect him,” junior Susan Lubejko said.