Orange teacher a finalist for award
Paschall in running for best in the state
An Orange County teacher called a “role model for what a teacher should be” was named Wednesday as a finalist for Florida’s annual Teacher of the Year honors.
Rob Paschall, who in January was named Orange’s top teacher, was tapped as a state finalist in a Zoom call with state education leaders. He is now in the running for the state’s highest teaching honor and in line for at least a $15,000 prize.
Paschall, 47, tipped his head back and covered his face with his hands when he heard the news.
“I’m speechless. Thank you,” he said.
Typically, administrators with the Florida Department of Education surprise the finalists with in-person visits to their schools. But with schools shuttered to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, the announcement came via a video conferencing call.
Paschall, who teaches at West Creek Elementary School in south Orange, was asked to join for what he thought would be a discussion on how “distance learning” had been going since schools closed in mid-March.
But Jacob Oliva, chancellor for K-12 education at the department, quickly made it clear that had been a ruse.
“Your name has risen above the rest. Congratulations!” Olivia said.
Orange administrators and teachers joined the call, sharing how Paschall was a teacher who inspired his students, mentored other teachers and took on numerous roles on campus — from supervising student clubs to working with the PTA.
His nomination packet for the teacher-of-the-year competition described how he boosted his students’ state test scores and used data to help provide acceleration for those who’d nearly mastered topics and extra help for those still struggling.
Paschall was praised, in the packet, as a teacher willing to take on all sorts of roles, from helping to supervise student safety patrol, morning announcements and book clubs to serving on statewide education committees.