Francis S. Sgroi speaks very modestly about his recent honor by Worldwide Who’s Who for Excellence in Mathematics Education.

While the mathematics department chairperson in Holy Cross High School, Delran, is grateful that his 45 years of dedication, leadership and excellence in the field of education have been recognized with the prestigious award, he also finds it extremely humbling to have been named an award recipient especially “since all I have been doing is using the gifts and talents given to me by our Lord.”

“I am so happy to have been given the opportunity to help the children entrusted to my care in the Catholic tradition,” said Sgroi, a faculty member of Burlington County’s only Catholic high school for the past 40 years.

“My greatest reward is seeing my students become successful and contributing members of society while also maintaining the practice of their faith,” he said.

The highlights of Sgroi’s career thus far were receiving the Teacher of the Year award in 2008 and helping the girls’ varsity soccer team win the state championship in 1993 and 1995. He also serves as co-chairman of the diocesan mathematics curriculum and a member of the diocesan curriculum council. He has been the recipient of numerous other awards including being honored by the Tandy Technical Scholar Award. In 2010, he was featured on the Elite American website and in an article for Pro-Files magazine, which spotlights seasoned and accomplished professionals. He said that he was first contacted by Cambridge Who’s Who (now  Worldwide Who’s Who) in 2011 and was included in the 2010-2011 edition for his contributions to education. In February, 2012, he received an award from Worldwide Who’s Who as an “Elite American Educator.” Recently, Worldwide Who’s Who honored him with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” as an inductee representing outstanding professional dedication and career longevity.

Sgroi holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Gannon University, Gannon, Pa.; a teaching certificate in mathematics from the State of New Jersey; a master’s degree in teaching from Marygrove College, Detroit, and has completed 30 additional post-graduate credits which total an educational equivalent of a doctoral degree.

Sgroi’s career in education began in 1969 in Cardinal McCloskey High School, Albany, N.Y., where he taught mathematics for four years. He then moved to New Jersey with his wife, Marcia, and year-old son and taught middle school in the Hainesport School District. He returned to Catholic high school education in 1974 when he began his position in Holy Cross High School where he has been a member of the faculty for 40 years. His wife, also a Catholic school educator, recently retired after 32 years of service to St. Joan of Arc School, Marlton.

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