Paul Fantaski

Sporting the title "Teacher of the Year," Mr Paul Fantaski, has concluded yet another successful year of teaching at Kiski Area High School. The students at Kiski voted for their favorite teacher according to character and teaching style. Who wouldn't walk away from their job for the summer filled with great satisfaction knowing that the students they have invested in think so highly of them? High school student Rebecca Ehalt, expressed what his teaching has meant to her. "He is very dedicated; [he] never misses an opportunity to help you or encourage you. He always has an answer for your question. Mr. Fantaski is a good teacher as well as general mentor." The six years that Paul has spent teaching in the Kiski Area School District have obviously positively touched many of the student's lives.

Paul knew by junior high school exactly what he wanted to do in his life. "I can't imagine spending my life doing anything but teaching; especially at Kiski." He had wonderful educational experiences while he attended school through the Kiski Area School District. He still remembers his favorite teacher, Marilyn Lyle who was his 9th grade English teacher. Throughout junior high and high school, Mr. Fantaski accompanied the choirs on piano, playing pieces beyond his years. This is what led to his decision to pursue music education as a career.

Once he graduated from high school Paul attended Edinboro University, and had the opportunity to accompany their many choirs. During that time he earned acclaim as one of the college's most talented pianists. In addition to having extraordinary musical talent, he also excelled in mathematics and was encouraged by college advisors to pursue math. He decided to take their advice and graduated from Edinboro with academic honors in mathematics and a minor degree in music. After graduation from college, he secured a job at Orchard Hills Christian Academy in Apollo where he spent five years teaching math and science. Finally, after two years of substituting at Kiski, he was asked to permanently join the high school mathematics staff.

Mr. Fantaski now teaches calculus at Kiski in addition to participating with many of the musical programs. For the past 12 years, Paul has provided the voice for the nationally acclaimed Kiski High School Marching Band. He also accompanies many of the Kiski choirs, both in high school concerts and in competition. Paul also enjoys music outside the school and often plays for weddings.

In addition to his investment in music, Paul has been very successful working with the school's yearbook. He orchestrated the past four yearbooks at the high school, and two of those have received second place recognition among yearbooks throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania.

He is very enthusiastic about his role at Kiski and looks forward to his future there. His goals are to finish his Master's of Education and Leadership with St. Francis University and to continue teaching in the Kiski Area School District. "I love what I do. I can't advance any higher then where I am right now. Besides the wonderful opportunity I have in teaching, I have the opportunity to work with probably the best music department in the state. I hope to never leave."

Paul is very grateful for his father, Paul Sr., who gave him an incredible upbringing and the encouragement to succeed in the things that he's chosen to pursue in his life. In fact, he credits all his success to his father. Paul also wished to thank Ronna, Genny, Cheryl, and Marge - four incredible "moms" who have truly impacted his life. These four women invested in him when his mother died while he was young. Paul has a great enthusiasm for life and the opportunities that have been given him. He has taken the amazing experiences that he's had in his academic life and tried to pass those same things on to his students. His most recent honor of "Teacher of the Year" confirms the success that he's made.