JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An Atlantic Coast High School math teacher was named Duval County's 2014 teacher of the year in a ceremony at the Times-Union Center.
Joseph Frencl's track record speaks for itself. Since the 1999-2000 school year, 90 percent of Frencl's AP calculus students have passed the AP exam and 34 percent of them scored a perfect 5 on the test.
Channel 4's Rob Sweeting was the master of ceremonies for The Eddy Awards -- the annual event to celebrate Duval County's leading teachers.
Teachers from each school are nominated, then the field is narrowed to 15 semi-finalists, then, to the five finalists who were featured Wednesday night. This year, it was one man and four women.
The evening featured pre-produced segments highlighting each of the five finalists, as well as live tributes from students, and even some parents -- all talking about what makes each of the teachers special. Then Sweeting announced that Frencl was chosed as the 2014 Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year.
After accepting his award, Frencl congratulated the rest of the finalists, then spoke for all teachers.
"I don't think people in general really understand what it takes to be a great teacher, day in and day out," said Frencl.
He also said he hopes he can help convey that message to the public for all teachers. Next, Frencl will compete in the Florida Blue state teacher of the year competition.