- December 23, 2025
Buddy Taylor Middle School Teacher of the Year Katherine Fisch teaches eighth-grade intensive reading. This is her 31st year teaching in Flagler County. She and her husband, Robert Fisch, are graduates of the Flagler County School District. Their five children are also graduates of Flagler Schools.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Teaching was always the goal, but my focus really sharpened up thanks to my cousin, Maureen. We were born in the same year (1972), but her journey was completely different because she has Down Syndrome.
Back then, before laws like PL 94-142 guaranteed all kids an education, I saw just how hard it was for her family to get her the resources she needed. It was a huge contrast to how easily my brother and I sailed through school, and it gave me a real soft spot for kids who struggled. I just couldn't figure out why school seemed like such a battle for some of my talented classmates. By the time I hit high school, I started to understand the different learning hurdles students face, and that personal connection, combined with the intellectual side of it, completely hooked me on exceptional student education. I knew I had to major in both general ed and specific learning disabilities at Flagler College.
Teaching intensive reading has been the most satisfying part of my career, as I get to directly address the foundational issues holding students back. Now, my motivation is simple: I teach to champion every student's success. Seeing what Maureen went through showed me how critical fairness is, and my roots here in Flagler County reinforced how much we need to value every graduate equally — the ones heading to college, the ones joining the military and especially the ones taking those skilled local jobs that keep our community humming. My whole career is
about making sure every student gets the support they need to be the best they can be.
How does the nomination make you feel?
It goes without saying that I am so honored and genuinely thankful to be nominated as Teacher of the Year for Buddy Taylor Middle School. Seeing my hard work recognized by my colleagues truly means so much to me. The announcement honestly brought tears to my eyes, as I really don't look for the spotlight.
What energizes me every day is the chance to work side-by-side with our amazing teachers and dedicated leaders. We all share the same drive for seeing all our students succeed, and that teamwork is everything. My own focus is teaching intensive reading, and my passion is simple: I believe every single student deserves strong reading skills to find real success in life. I feel incredibly lucky to work in such a collaborative and supportive school, where everyone focuses on helping both students and staff grow. That collective, positive spirit is what makes Buddy Taylor Middle School a truly special place to be.
What is your favorite thing about being a teacher?
I truly value the opportunity I get every year to teach students who have always struggled to succeed with reading. I start by telling every group that if they let me help, we will learn and grow together. I stress that progress over perfection isn't just a great saying — it's the truth about how we actually build skills.
The greatest reward is seeing the "light bulb moment” — that sudden spark in a student's eyes when something difficult finally clicks. This is why I emphasize that literacy is the key to success in the real world. It includes reading, writing, listening and speaking; it is about so much more than just finishing a book. Watching a student move from feeling lost to feeling genuinely confident and prepared to take on the world is the most rewarding success a teacher can share.
Every year, I have the privilege of teaching students who have struggled with finding success in reading. I explain to each group that if they give me the privilege of letting me help them, we can grow together. Literacy is beyond just reading a passage, a novel, or a textbook. Literacy is success in the real world. I love watching the light in students' eyes when they begin to understand.
What is one thing you are taking away from this experience?
This honor just lights a bigger fire under me to work even harder to make sure every single student, especially those who struggle academically to feel that sweet taste of success. It totally confirms that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, focusing on what matters most: helping all our students shine.
Being a teacher can be challenging at times. What keeps you motivated?
In every part of our lives, there will be challenges, and oh, I have faced some tough ones. My husband has always told me, “We are not promised tomorrow,” and that is the reality. We need to make the most of each day, no matter how challenging. I chose education not just as a job, but as a passion. When I focus on the success of the students that I have taught, I can’t help but feel better. That focus is key to getting through the challenging times. Whether it is running into former students dutifully employed in Flagler County or seeing social media posts about my students being successful in high school, I know it will all be worth it. Having my former students provide presentations to my students has shown that their tomorrow can be a positive path. It may even be a path they weren’t aware was a possibility from JROTC to Take Stock in Children scholarships!
What is a memorable experience that influenced the way you approach educating students?
As a young teacher, I wanted 100% from all of my students every day. The naive young teacher in me didn’t realize that no one is 100% all the time. A third grade student with a severe learning disability wrote me a note with all the misspellings that essentially said, “Not all kids can be perfect all the time.” That hit me hard. I still have that note 30 years later, and I know exactly who wrote it. That has become my constant reminder that we need to give our students and ourselves grace.
Learning is messy, and that’s OK. Students are not the same, so using the best research available to meet the diverse needs of my students is a challenge, but also remembering that we are not all perfect, and that is just fine with me. Success even once can be repeated; it just may take time.
If there was one piece of wisdom you could share with students, what would it be?
The best wisdom I could share is that intelligence comes in many forms, and all too often, students only think of it as "book smarts." That couldn't be further from the truth! Sure, being good at tests is helpful, but there's also real-world problem-solving, knowing how to fix things (that's mechanical intelligence!), or being able to read a room and know how people are feeling (emotional intelligence).
You might be a whiz at art, or brilliant at sports, or amazing at leading a group of friends. Don't ever let a grade on a paper make you think you aren't smart. Your job right now is to figure out what kind of smart you are, because trust me, you are absolutely smart at something!
Aside from your job, what are some other things you enjoy in your daily life?
I am married to my best friend, Robert Fisch, and we have five grown children. My husband and I are graduates of Flagler Schools, and we have also graduated our five children from Flagler Schools. The two youngest are in college, and the three oldest are working in Flagler County. We are beginning our next chapter as, essentially, empty nesters. During the week, our cats keep us entertained at home. We spend our free time in the beautiful Florida outdoors and are State Park enthusiasts. We have visited over 25 natural springs, multiple waterfalls (natural and artificial), and over 110 Florida State Parks! We have more to go, but that's what weekends and vacations are for!
