Mauro Diaz
Casper, WY
Mauro Diaz is a National Board Certified Teacher currently teaching Life Science at Dean Morgan Middle School in Casper, Wyoming. He was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. as a child. After completing a BA in English at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX, Diaz began a business career in Wyoming as manager of a manufacturing operation. After several years, he chose to pursue a career with greater personal meaning. Diaz obtained a BS in Biology from the University of Wyoming and, in 2002, was selected for the New York City Teaching Fellows program where he began his teaching career through an alternative certification process. He has focused his career at the middle school level. As a fellow, he taught seventh grade math and science at IS 162 in the South Bronx while completing a MS in Science Education. Diaz taught at IS 162 for 3 years before returning to Wyoming in 2005 to assume his current position.
Mauro believes strongly in the value of highly qualified teachers who work in the context of a large supportive environment as the means to helping students reach their potential.
Mauro’s personal achievements include National Board Certification in 2011 and the establishment of the Wyoming Education Summit in 2012 as a platform for National Board Certified teachers to discuss effective teaching and improving education in Wyoming. Mauro was a 2013-2014 Teacher Ambassador Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education. Mauro is currently serving on the board of directors for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Mauro also contributed to the development of the Teacher Leadership Competencies.
Why do you teach? I teach because an education is life giving.
What do you love about teaching? I love teaching middle school students because they are fun and willing to work hard.
Is there a teacher you had who inspired you? When I was a student I had two teachers who inspired me. My fourth grade teacher, Mr. Baca who continually encouraged me to believe in myself and my eight grade teacher, Mrs. Maddox who had our class create a geometric art project in math class.
