Anthony Occhiuzzi, who earned an Associate in Arts degree from MCC in 1968, earned a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, followed by a master’s, and embarked on his teaching career starting in the Alhambra Elementary School District in west Phoenix where he taught junior high school geography and physical science.
After 10 years of an enjoyable and challenging teaching experience, Tony made the bold move to leave teaching to pursue a sales position with the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, a new and exciting experience for him.
However, teaching drew him back, this time to the Tempe High School District. His tenure with the district lasted for the next 30 years, teaching chemistry and earth science before retiring in 2013.
During an open house, one evening, to meet parents at Tempe High School, Tony met Professor Ray Grant from the MCC Physical Science department who asked if he would consider teaching an evening section of geology one night per week at the college. He started teaching his first class as an adjunct instructor at MCC in fall 1992, enjoying it so much that he stayed for the next 30 years, finally retiring in 2022.
Tony is the recipient of many awards, including Science Teacher of the Year from the Arizona Teacher’s Association, Tempe High School’s Outstanding Science Teacher, Award of Excellence from the Tempe Diablos, and Outstanding Earth Science Teacher from the National Association of GeoScience Teachers. Tony was also named an Arizona Teacher in Space Semi-Finalist in 1985.
He has also been recognized for numerous accomplishments by the MCC Alumni Association, Flagg Foundation Rock and Gem Show, and Boy Scouts of America. He gave science presentations at the MCC Planetarium for seven years.