His Story
Erick Hueck has taught chemistry at Miami Senior High School for his entire career, since 1988. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1987, a master’s in science education from the University of Miami in 1990, and a doctorate in education from Nova Southeastern University in 2009. His school’s motto, “Non Verbis, Sed Operis,” or “Not by Words, By Deeds,” runs through everything he does. His principal calls him “Mr. Miami High.”
His classroom creed is “Learn for the love of learning.” He runs labs where students find the shapes and polarity of molecules with marshmallows, toothpicks and cereal, as well as titrations and buffer work. He pairs stronger and weaker students in review groups after each exam, then has the groups write quizzes of their own. From 2018 to 2022 his students’ AP pass rate averaged 80.7%, compared with 41.36% for the district and 54.62% worldwide. A former student who is now his colleague has also helped him run an AP Chemistry summer camp.
Beyond the Classroom
For more than 30 years he has advised the school’s chapter of the Beta Club, which has grown into the largest organization at the school, along with the National Honor Society, and he co-advises Student Government. His students have run a peanut butter and jelly drive for the homeless, worked with Amigos for Kids on a toy drive, and assisted at a nearby middle school’s science fair. He is also the academic advisor for the boys’ basketball team, where Beta and Honor Society students tutor the players after school.
As Advanced Academics chair he helped grow the school from 525 AP students and 652 exams to 824 students and more than 1,000 exams, and he mentors AP teachers at other schools. He is president of the Dade County Science Teachers Association and was president of the Florida Association of Science Teachers in 2015. His honors include the 2014 Phebe and Zephaniah Swift Moore Teaching Award from Amherst College, a 2022 Yale Educator Award, a 2022 NEA California Casualty Award for teaching excellence, and the 2011 Florida Governor’s Excellence in Education award. He was named Miami-Dade County’s science teacher of the year in 2003.
Philosophy Into Practice
Hueck builds a team feel into AP Chemistry. Students tutor each other after school and on Saturdays, and one of his former students who struggled enough to nearly quit earned a 4 on the exam and went on to major in chemistry. With a math teacher he built a Brain Bowl team that won the district title three years in a row. He sees assessment as more than a score, and has students keep portfolios and journals so they can see what they have mastered and what still needs work.
He says his own approach keeps changing and that he “shall forever be a student.” Last year 81% of his students scored 3 or higher on the AP exam.
“I am of the belief that all my successes are mirrored through my student’s success.”Dr. Erick Hueck
In His Own Words
“Learn for the love of learning.”Dr. Erick Hueck, the creed he shares with his students
“Bringing science concepts to life, making it relevant and making it accessible is my goal.”Dr. Erick Hueck
“I have learned over the years that there is no point in running through lessons if students are not understanding the work.”Dr. Erick Hueck
What Others Said
“Dr. Hueck is my person for all things chemistry!”Supervisor of Advanced Placement Programs, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
“Erick is truly everyone’s teacher whether you are the AP student or the struggling student.”Benny Valdes, principal, Miami Senior High School
“Despite teaching at MHS for over three decades, Dr. Hueck walked into the classroom with the passion of a rookie teacher every single day.”Carlos Salcerio, former student
“He taught us to believe in ourselves.”Vicky Puentes, nominator; former student, colleague and parent