With balancing both coaching baseball and teaching multiple math classes, it’s no surprise that this month’s Teacher of the Month is Coach Neil Frederic.

Question: What was your reaction to being named Teacher of the Month?

Frederic: Pleasantly shocked. I feel I work hard enough daily to have my name called, but until you hear your named called, you think it will never happen. There are so many great teachers at Center Hill High School, so having Teacher of the Month by my name makes all that extra work and time very gratifying.

Question: What made you want to be a teacher in the first place?

Frederic: When I made the decision my senior year of college, it was based on being a baseball coach. However, I enjoy trying to prepare all my students for what to look forward to in the future. I try to relate my personal positives and negatives in life to help them succeed.

Question: What is the most challenging thing about being a teacher?

Frederic: Separating my job and personal life. I have trouble putting it down and having time for myself. I want it all to be done to the best of my abilities, so sometimes my life revolves around education.

Question: How has teaching changed your life?

Frederic: It makes me work even harder than before because I know someone is counting on me daily. I try to be a role model in and out of the classroom, so I hold myself to a higher standard than ever before.

Question: Did becoming a teacher change the way you see your past teachers?

Frederic: I appreciate them even more because I now realize all the little things you have to do to be successful.

Question: If you were not a teacher, what do you think you would be doing?

Frederic: Running a baseball academy, a professional baseball scout, or work for ESPN

Question: What is your favorite part of coaching baseball?

Frederic: Forming relationships with our players that will last forever and putting on our uniform to play the game. Baseball ends but life does not, so I will always be there for our guys when they need me.

Question: What are you looking forward to most about this baseball season?

Frederic: Proving people wrong and winning the first ever Center Hill High School Baseball District title. We have some really good players and want the opposition to fear The Hill.

Question: How strong do you think this team is going to be this year?

Frederic: I feel very confident in our team. Coach McDonald, Coach Hobbs, and I will have our guys prepared to WIN. We are currently working extremely hard and believe this hard work and determination will pay off between the white lines come this spring. We expect to reach uncharted territory.