Patrick Floryance is Triton’s 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. Patrick is a middle school math teacher and Technovation Coach. Patrick is in his 10th year of teaching at Triton, all 10 years being in the Middle school. Teaching math runs in the Floryance family. Patrick’s sister Kristen Tischer, teaches high school math at Triton and was the 2021-2022 Triton Teacher of the Year.
Patrick graduated from Century High School in 2008. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Mathematics Instruction, both from the University of Minnesota. Patrick graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2012. He immediately entered the post-grad teaching program that summer and finished in the Spring of 2013. In 2018 he went back to complete his Master’s degree which was awarded in 2019.He started off primarily teaching 7th grade math but transitioned to 8th grade Algebra. He also works with 6th graders doing tiered math classes.
Over Patrick’s 10 years at Triton, he also has been involved with the school’s technology department for about 8 years supporting teaching and learning, a Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader for 4 years and a member of the District Achievement Team. In addition to teaching, he was the head soccer coach for one year and has spent the last 7 years being the coach of the Technovation team. Patrick said, “I am extremely proud of the work we have done with Technovation in inspiring young girls to explore the possibilities of computer science and entrepreneurship. Last year the team was top in the State.” He also has done work with the football team running cameras at the varsity Football games as well as announcing and running the scoring for gymnastics.
When asked,” Why did you become a teacher,” Patrick said, “I first started being interested in teaching when I was in high school. I loved to learn new things and be a part of the culture of the school. I was involved in various activities that enriched my life and helped shape the person I became today. I wanted to continue being part of what makes schools such a wonderful place for kids, so I chose to be an educator. I wanted to connect with the next generation and guide them as they figure out who they want to be.” Patrick also said, “ I always enjoyed mathematics and learning how it connects with the world around us. There are so many math applications we encounter every day. I learn something new or come up with new questions that mathematics can help solve. It is just so cool! I want my students to be able to have that same passion as well.”
As part of the nomination process for Teacher of the Year, colleagues write a brief explanation of who they are nominating, his colleagues wrote; Patrick Floryance is a consummate professional as a colleague and a fantastic educator for our Middle School students. Not only does he do great work as a member of the math department, but his support in the tech department is also critical for the middle school. Furthermore, his work with the Technovation team is sometimes overlooked, and he does great things with those female students interested in technology. Put simply, he is a complete educator and someone his colleagues look up to. Patrick is always there to help with tech needs, big or small. He's also there to help students who are struggling with math. He teaches in a way that students "get it". He's also patient with those who struggle and good at finding another way to get the concept across. He juggles several hats, and he does it well, showing leadership to both students and fellow teachers in the building.
In addition to being Triton Teacher of the Year, Patrick will become a candidate for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program has recognized excellence in teaching in Minnesota for 59 years. The program selects one teacher to represent the state’s thousands of excellent educators.
Congratulations Patrick Floryance and thank you for serving the Triton Community.
