Hewlett’s excellent business teacher

In recognition of his skills as a teacher in the Business Department of Hewlett High School, Jared Pittelli has been named the winner of the Julian A. Milkes Award by the New York State Business Teachers Association, as well as a Gold Star teacher for the 2010-11 school year.

Pittelli, 27, was nominated for the Milkes Award by his Business Department colleagues, including Chairwoman Barbara Mattes. “He takes direction well and understands that it’s all about the students,” Mattes said of Pittelli. “He puts in that extra effort, takes direction from the students themselves and presents information on their level.”

The Milkes Award recognizes the efforts of business educators early in their careers. “It’s such an honor, and I was so surprised when I received the call,” said Pittelli, who has been teaching for two years. He said he could not have been so successful without Mattes’s assistance, and added, “It’s the highest honor I’ve ever received.” He will be presented with the award at the Business Travel Association’s conference in Albany Oct. 13-14. Pittelli also earned Gold Star teacher status for last year because 90 percent or more of the students in one or more of his classes passed the Financial Literacy Certification Test. The nationwide exam tests students’ knowledge of financial concepts. “It’s an unbelievable honor,” Pittelli said. “The hard work is paying off, and it’s nice to be recognized.”

After earning a degree in finance from Eastern Connecticut State University, the Carle Place resident pursued a career in finance as a client service assistant at Smith Barney, now Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, while earning a master’s in business education from Hofstra University. Then Pittelli decided to leave the business world for the classroom.

“I felt like I could be better served teaching kids than being in the business world itself,” he said. “I’ve always loved working with kids, and felt I could be fun and teach in a way that kids could understand.”