Rich Pyszczek is native of Buffalo, NY, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and later attended SUNY College at Buffalo where he earned my Permanent Certification in Secondary Social Studies 7-12. He has taught every grade level of Social Studies for grades 7-12. Grade 12 Economics and Civics, Grade 11 United States History, Global History and Geography I & II, US & NYS History grades 7 & 8, IB Economics Standard Level, AP Human Geography. In 2018 & 2013, he was named NYS History Day Teacher of the Year for his work with students in the BPS and the entire WNY History Day region. In 2015, he was named Distinguished Alumni for SUNY Erie Community College for his work with the BPS as a classroom teacher and NFCSS President. In 2018, he was awarded the Daniel B. Niederlander Award by the Buffalo History Museum for his leadership of the NFCSS and the Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2022 named the NYSCSS Distinguished Educator and was named to the NYS 250th Commemoration Commission by the NYS Senate Majority Leader. In 2023 he was given a lifetime achievement award by SUNY Oneonta and the Cooperstown Graduate Program for his work with the New York State History Day Program.