Dwyer High School received yet another honor on Monday when science teacher Michael Horgan received Palm Beach County's Teacher of the Year award. His students owed it to his inclusive teaching style and habits.

Horgan typically gives his classes PowerPoint notes and explains them. Following the lecture, he uses labs and experiments based on the notes to further the lesson. "He gives interactive labs and gets everyone involved. He makes it fun for everyone, so it doesn't seem like learning, but we learn so much. He's really dedicated to science, I'm glad he's my teacher," said senior Erika Constantine. Horgan also assigns projects in which students present what they've learned.

Horgan gains students' respect by being down to earth and his teaching methods get students to enjoy learning. For senior Chris Holley, Horgan was different than other teachers he has had because, "he helps you out when you don't understand something. He doesn't just give you the answer; he explains it."

After teaching for sixteen years in Miami-Dade County, he transitioned from teaching biology to teaching marine science when he took a job at Dwyer six years ago. Horgan majored in biology at Florida International University.

Superintendent Art Johnson, Principal E. Wayne Gent, and other administrators burst into Horgan's third period Marine Science Honors class to congratulate him with balloons. The congratulations aired on Dwyer's student-run DTV News on Tuesday morning, and a congratulatory message appeared on the school's marquee. Students and faculty alike shared excitement for Horgan's honor. "He really truly cares about the students and what they learn," said Holley. "He's all about teaching."