West Brunswick High JROTC instructor gets statewide recognition

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — West Brunswick High School JROTC instructor Joseph Calisto just received statewide recognition. Calisto has been named VFW NC Teacher of the Year in the High School category.

“I’m truly humbled by the selection as you would imagine,” Calisto said of the honor. “I would simply state that this award is more about the great students and faculty here at West Brunswick High School along with our outstanding community partners than my talents as a teacher.”

“We are so excited for Col. Calisto,” Principal Rhonda Benton said of the recognition. “He is so deserving and such an asset to the Trojan Family!”

The official presentation of the award will be at the VFW NC convention banquet in Cary on Saturday, February 2.

Colonel (R) Joseph E. Calisto is from New Bern. He attended Craven Community College and subsequently transferred to East Carolina University where he joined the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps.  He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May of 1987 and graduated in December of 1987.

Colonel Calisto spent 25 years as a Transportation Corps / Logistics officer.  He commanded at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade level and is a 2009 Senior Service College select.

Some of his military career highlights include a teaching assignment at the United States Military Academy West Point from 1996 to 1999; Joint Staff Officer/Battalion Commander, Republic of South Korea from 2002 to 2006; and the Commander of the 596th Transportation Brigade, Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point from 2010 to 2012.  His education includes, a Bachelors of Science Degree in Physical Education, a Masters of Science in Exercise Science, and a Masters of Arts in Aerospace Power.

Upon retiring from the Army 1 March 2013, he started his second career in April 2013 as the Senior Army Instructor for JROTC at West Brunswick High School. He is married to Mrs. Dawn Stanford Calisto, and they have four daughters, Nicole, Morgan, Rachel, and Samantha.