NHS's Buccino honored with Teacher of Excellence award
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT WRITER
The next class was cheesecake, and the students in Robert Buccino's culinary arts class could not wait. "It's my favorite class," said junior Heidi Marks.

ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent Buccino has taught his students the culinary skills and, in turn, many islanders have reaped the gastronomic rewards.

A teacher at Nantucket High School for seven years, Buccino was recently recognized as this year's Teacher of Excellence by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. He was singled out for his work in initiating and sustaining the island's school-to-career program, and for his accomplishments in developing the appropriate curriculum around it.

"I take a lot of pride in teaching a life skill," Buccino said. "Cooking is something the students can use every day."

Islanders have tasted the results of his teaching at school-sponsored events such as the Spanish Club dinner, the spelling bee, the academic excellence awards, and at concerts by the select a capella singing groups, the Accidentals and Naturals. His students have also prepared food over the years at Food Pantry dinners, the Cranberry Festival and the Chowder Festival.

Buccino taught for seven years in Connecticut before moving to the island to work at the Straight Wharf restaurant. In the summer, he is the night chef at Bartlett's Farm.

There are 23 schools involved in the Massachusetts Restaurant Association's ProStart school-to-career program. In May, he will attend the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, where he and teachers from around the country will be honored as 'teachers of excellence.' Buccino said he was pleased to be acknowledged by his peers and grateful for the recognition given to Nantucket's culinary arts program

His students, of course, have known about his talents for years. "He's a good guy, we learn about food, it's

fun," said Shanroy Nelson. I