MacFarlane Park School Teacher Uses Her Dog To Inspire Students

TAMPA, FL — Jacqueline Diorio, teacher at MacFarlane Park Elementary, writes about her bossy and beloved black and tan dachshund, Marcello.

Marcello’s mama (Diorio) was inspired to write about her little doxie when she brought him to school one day to show her students prior to the whole pandemic. She has a huge passion for helping children learn.

Her focus on tutoring in both math and reading, she was also the owner and operator of Academic Aftercare (tutoring school) for 10 years in South Tampa. During the pandemic, while teaching online, she would share stories about Marcello with her students.

It was then that she put pencil to paper and decided to start writing a book. Her students loved the stories so much and kept asking for more. She is now writing a complete Easy Reader series for K-2 students. Her first published book, “Marcello Goes Home” is now available on Amazon due to demand from her parents and friends. You can order a print copy or ebook at https://amzn.to/33F3rU9.

Marcello now has a following @marcellobooks on Facebook. You can also sign up on his very own website at Marcellosadventures.com to keep up with this curious little doxie! Diorio has one daughter as well as being Marcello’s mama.

She is a K-5 Florida certified elementary teacher and is currently a teacher of gifted at MacFarlane International Baccalaureate school, which has earned the number one Magnet School in America award and honor.

Diorio earned her Bachelor of Social Work at USF and she later earned a Master of Education (MEd) in Elementary Education from NOVA Southeastern University.

In addition, she has completed all doctorate coursework and is currently all but dissertation (ABD) in Educational Leadership. Diorio never imagined that her little doxie would be such a positive influence on both herself and her students during such a difficult and trying time!