Richard Trotta has worked in public education as a teacher and an administrator. Before becoming an administrator, he taught secondary Social Studies. As the Director of Media, Technology, and Fine Arts for the Medford Public Schools., he supervised several district-wide programs: instructional technology, library services, media services, art, and music. In addition, he played an active role in curriculum development, professional development, school-to-career, and gifted and talented programs.
Richard has authored and managed numerous state and federal grants. In 1975, he was the Principal of an Alternative School Program. He has taught courses and workshops at Salem State College, Simmons College, Harvard University, American International College, area school districts, and professional conferences. He served on the Board of Directors for Youth Tech Entrepreneurs, a non-profit that provided school districts with a project-based curriculum incorporating technology and business skills.
In 2012, he created The Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility (CCSR), an after-school program that develops student leaders who work to make the world a better place. He authored and received over $750,000.00 in grants from the Cummings Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Crystal Campbell Community Fund (Boston Foundation) to fund the CCSR until 2030. He has served as the Director of the CCSR from its inception to the present. Richard received his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from Northeastern University. He earned a CAGS certificate from Boston University and attended the University of Massachusetts in Lowell as a doctoral candidate
As a daydreaming kid who never quite fit the definition of “good student”, Tony Capozziello’s spark for entrepreneurial endeavors began in grade school when he organized a “carnival” in his driveway to raise money for a neighborhood friend who was suffering from Muscular Dystrophy and was the 8th grade winner of the market simulation in social studies.
These led to an adult version of that mediocre student becoming an independent restaurateur for 13 years and creating 2 non-profit organizations in his personal life.
As a high school teacher of 18 years, he created a culinary arts program that involved major renovations of student space to create a student lounge (The Knight Spot) where students prepared all foods from scratch while others waited eagerly for the best school lunch they’d ever had. In addition, this concept moved to the public library where The Blender Cafe became a public partnership with private donors so students could learn the way a cafe operation runs.
Teaching Entrepreneurship and Personal Finance to high school students for most of the 18 years as an educator has has led to long lasting bonds with students who are permanently ignited to learn!