Dear Families, please allow me to introduce myself; my name is Michael Picozzi and I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to teach your 5th grade student at James W. Smith Elementary School this year. I will make sure that we have a very successful year.

Here is a little about myself: I am originally from England and I was inspired to become a teacher after coaching soccer in Ghana. During this time I was unexpectedly asked whether I wanted to teach a math lesson in the local school. Armed with just a single piece of chalk and a blackboard, I taught a math lesson to about 80 Ghanaian teenagers. Needless to say, I absolutely loved it! When I returned to England, I enrolled at the University of Chichester and began my teaching journey. 

Whilst at Chichester, I won a place on the international route which enabled me to study at Penn State University in America as well as teach in some of the elementary schools in State College. When I returned to England, I finished my degree and then was given a job at the school where I completed my final teaching placement. It was a school called Clapham and Patching Church of England School and it was located in rural West Sussex. I taught grades 2 through 5 in one of the school's three classrooms! After two wonderful years teaching in England, I was given the opportunity to teach in North Carolina! I was very fortunate to have taught at Clyde Erwin Elementary School in Jacksonville for five years and I taught 3rd grade for four years and 5th grade for one year. I am now delighted to start my second year with you all at James W. Smith Elementary school.

On a personal note, I am married to my lovely wife Natalie. We met in college in England in 2009 and we have been together ever since! We were over the moon to welcome our little girl ‘Amelia’ in April 2021. We also have two very lively Border Collies that certainly keep us busy!