Math teacher Frank Abbott was selected as Teacher of the Year based on faculty nominations and criteria from the Texas Association of School Administrators.
“When I heard [I won], I was very excited, happy and proud of myself,” Abbott said. “I knew some people [teachers] who had nominated me, and just being nominated meant that people saw what I was doing.”
Abbott never saw himself being a math teacher, explaining how he didn’t even know if he could make it to his retirement age without getting bored of his job.
“I have always been changing,” Abbott said. “I started looking for other things to do in class. Most people around see me and know that my students are standing at these white boards all day long. When I got in a rut six years back, I had an out of body experience where I saw how bored my kids and I were, even as a teacher.”
Abbott has changed his teaching philosophy and now teaches by the motto “Learning is fun, learning is interesting, and every day you should learn something” to help promote a fun classroom environment.
“I changed my whole philosophy of teaching,” Abbott said. “We have to do enough by the book in education that you have to be yourself and let your personality out. The worst years I had were years I was trying to be like other teachers, but they are just not me.”
Along with the award and positive reinforcements from students comes new expectations to rise up to for the job.
“Now, I know people look at me in a way that I’ve got to give back more to the other teachers,” Abbott said. “If I am needed more as a mentor or anything, I need to step up because it is now my responsibility since I have been put in this position.”
Senior Jenna Finley believes that Abbott goes above and beyond everyday for his students, especially after he adjusted his teaching style making her look forward to his class.
“He works really hard and makes sure to get to know each student and help them based on their individual needs,” Finley said. “I was really happy for him because he definitely deserves it.”
