Mr. Buonocore Is Students’ Pick for 2022 Teacher of the Year

Mr. Buonocore was on track to become a physician assistant or chemical engineer before he redirected toward teaching. Photo: Christina Lin

By CAROLINE PYCHYNSKI and CHRISTINA LIN

Can you imagine seeing a teacher dressed up as a grandma to help his students understand chemistry? That’s Mr. Christopher Buonocore, more commonly known as Mr. B, one of Midwood’s  chemistry and forensics teachers, who received the 2022 Teacher of the Year title by winning the hearts and votes of Midwood students.  

Past students describe Mr. Buonocore as a “funny,” “friendly,” “charismatic” teacher with “no electrons” (a science joke meaning “no negatives”). 

He was shocked to hear the news. “I didn’t expect this, especially in my first year of teaching,” he said. Despite being only at the beginning of his career, Mr. Buonocore has left a great impression amongst the hornets who’ve had him. 

“He connects with students well,” said junior Caresse Liang, a previous chemistry student. “He is a teacher who genuinely cares about his students and their well-being. Back in the fall semester of last year, he noticed that I was struggling. He found the parts I did wrong and made sure I understood them.”

“He is a good teacher and someone I can talk to about my problems,” said junior Shirley Wang Chen, a previous chemistry student. “You can confide in him.” 

“He’s more of a friend that I can trust,” said Liang. “He has a genuine personality and takes the time to listen. And most importantly, he doesn’t judge.” 

Sophia Gotesman ‘24 had Mr. Buonocore during the spring semester last year, and he encouraged her to apply to AP Chemistry. “I'm currently in the class and wouldn't be able to get through it if it wasn't for the mnemonic devices he taught us,” she said. 

But the humble Mr. B didn’t want to take all the credit for himself. He couldn’t have done it without the support of the science department’s “amazing” staff, he said.  

Mr. Andy Xu, a robotics and chemistry teacher, met Mr. Buonocore in college. “I've always looked up to Mr. Buonocore,” he said. “I remember during our first year teaching, we taught in the same room but during different periods. Every day, we left organic chemistry questions on the board for each other to solve.” Mr. Buonocore’s advice has helped him create a “safe, understanding, yet professional environment” for students, he said.

Ms. Kristina Coker, an earth science and forensics teacher, said that Mr. Buonocore is “very passionate, and he really loves teaching. He works hard on his curricula, and he’s a great forensics teacher.”

“He took the new chemistry and forensic teachers under his wing,” Ms. Coker added. “Any questions they had, he would answer them to the best of his abilities.”

Joy and positivity are two of his calling cards. “He has a lot of energy,” said Ms. Kimberly Lau, a chemistry and AP Environmental Science teacher. “He’s very positive, always happy and full of energy.”

“One of my favorite people,” said Ms. Tiffany Peat, a forensics and earth science teacher. “I would hang out with him during our free time and visit his classroom. We’re lucky to have the same prep period.” 

Mr. Buonocore said his own high school chemistry teacher, Mr. Chille, was his inspiration to enter the field. 

“Mr. Chille made me want to teach, and I'm still friends with him today,” Mr. Buonocore said. “He's a really awesome and funny guy.”

When Mr. Buonocore went to college, the roadmap for his future didn’t include teaching. In fact, “I was going to be either a physician assistant or a chemical engineer,” he said. “But then I had a really good college chemistry professor, Dr. Jin, who nudged me right back to wanting to become a teacher. He reminded me of my passion for chemistry.”

It’s a passion that, in only his first few years in the profession, is already earning students’ appreciation. It might be that here at Midwood, Mr. B is in his natural element.