Bell, Vice Mayor Ernest Sochin, Ruffo’s parents, Councilmember Sue Loyzelle and Marshall Ruffo (holding
proclamation).
Marshall Ruffo, a local teacher who grew up in Cutler Bay, received a special proclamation honoring his work from the town council before its monthly meeting on Feb. 20.
Respected by fellow teachers as a man who is dedicated totally to education and who has had significant impact on the lives of many students, Ruffo was named the Miami-Dade County Public School Teacher of the Year for 2012-13. Ruffo is the founding father of COAST (Centennial Ocean Academy of Science and Technology), the COAST lead teacher and Science Department chair.
The proclamation read at the ceremony that also was attended by Ruffo’s parents stated in part, “The Town of Cutler Bay is proud of its local teacher. Marshall teaches science to the sixth, seventh and eighth graders, and makes sure that his classroom is a laboratory so that the students can understand the mission of COAST, teaching the advancement of marine and environmental conservation through scientific research, literacy and mathematics. He also plans many of the out-of-school activities and coaches the swim team.”
Although by his own admission he is not a man who seeks the limelight, Ruffo said he did appreciate the recognition given him and enjoys his role in the area’s educational system.
“The whole process has been a very humbling and rewarding experience, to be able to serve our community here in Cutler Bay with these students at our school that come from Cutler Bay,” Ruffo said. “That’s really what I enjoy the most about it. As far as the proclamation, it was unexpected and very humbling to be recognized by the town council.”
