LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — Chad Mallo has only been teaching at Angeline Academy of Innovation for two years, but he is already making a huge difference.

He teaches entrepreneurship, and is helping his students learn the ins and outs of running a business. He makes his lessons fun. 

“We learn in my class," he said. "But if you come in my classroom, we’re going to be laughing a lot. And we are learning, I promise."

Mallo says building relationships with his students is a priority. 

“I just try to build that rapport with them," he said. "I want them to be happy here and I give advice the best I can."

He followed his own advice when he started teaching eight years ago after 20 years in banking.

“One of those in the mirror questions: 'Am I in the right profession? Am I really making a positive impact on people’s lives?'" he said. "And I looked back and answered my own question."

Mallo said he always wanted to be a teacher. 

“The goal is to be a mentor, and I try to mentor students and other professionals and our teachers," he said. "They mentor me, I mentor them. We’re a team here."

His students are learning the skills they need for after graduation — like creating a resume and interviewing for a job. 

“I just want to make sure that I’m helping students and I can impact (and) make a student happy,” said Mallo.

Mallo was Pasco County Schools' CTE Teacher of the Year in 2024 in his first year teaching at Angeline Academy.