Since 1994, D'Amato has worked with students from Pre-K to high school in academic and recreational settings. His experiences range from community work with youths in Harlem, New York, to educational research in Paris, France. Michael James D'Amato, a former Teacher of the Year, currently teaches middle school Social Studies in New Jersey. He is also the coach of his school's Academic Competition Team and a Friends Beyond Borders mentor. D'Amato's work has appeared in "NEA Today" (the country's #1 teachers magazine), several newspapers, and also on "Classroom Close Up" (the NJEA weekly television show). D'Amato considers the highlight of his career to be the 17-day trip to southern Italy in 2005 with his eighth grade students. During the trip the students visited Naples, Pompeii, and Rome.     For the past five summers, D'Amato has helped bring teachers and students to the Dominican Republic as part of "Friends Beyond Borders." During these social justice expeditions the teachers toured the Haitian border, visited an HIV/AIDS orphanage, spoke with civil rights activist Sonia Pierre, and heard firsthand stories from the legendary Dede Mirabal from the famous novel, "In the Time of the Butterflies." In 2008, D'Amato was nominated for GQ Magazine's "Better Men, Better World" Award.     In 2010, D'Amato was named one of the recipients of Central New Jersey's "Teachers Who Make Magic" Award.     In 2011, "Roam Italy" was chosen as an Atlantic Highlands Book Club selection.     D'Amato presents at workshops and conventions and is available for speaking engagements. For direct inquiries, please write to turtle0038@yahoo.com