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<\/p>\nWho will be America\u2019s Favorite Teacher? Rebecca Bertoch, an ESE teacher at Riley Elementary School, is asking for the Tallahassee community\u2019s vote to land her the national honor.<\/p>\n
Bertoch is competing against hundreds of teachers for the title, along with the chance to win $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, a feature in Reader\u2019s Digest and a school assembly with Bill Nye the Science Guy.<\/p>\n
“When people ask about me one of the first things I tell them is that I love teaching,” Bertoch told the Tallahassee Democrat.<\/p>\n
A native of Lynchburg, Virginia, Bertoch later made her way to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, where her parents\u2019 love story began.<\/p>\n
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Rebecca Bertoch is advancing in the America\u2019s Favorite Teacher contest, which includes a $25,000 prize and trip to Hawaii.<\/p>\n
![\"Rebecca](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/6ddf1014605b4d9cda8b94dbad74c75d.jpeg\"\/)
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Rebecca Bertoch is advancing in the America\u2019s Favorite Teacher contest, which includes a $25,000 prize and trip to Hawaii.<\/p>\n
The bubbly educator has been teaching for 18 years. She began in Quincy at an Early Head Start facility before spending the past 14 years in self-contained classrooms in Leon County Schools.<\/p>\n
“I grew up with an older sister who had special needs and I saw both the positive and negative impacts of a teacher\u2019s relationship with these most vulnerable students,” Bertoch said of why she entered the profession. “I want to be able to be an advocate for my students who not only shows them their potential but allows everyone else to recognize all the gifts and talents these extraordinary students encompass. They need to be recognized like their peers, not get lost in the shadows because they are best at shining their lights for others.”<\/p>\n
During her first year of teaching, she struggled to connect with a student and the student\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n
![\"Rebecca](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/685f7b9b411608459cbbaf51aa2024e8.jpeg\"\/)
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Rebecca Bertoch is advancing in the America\u2019s Favorite Teacher contest, which includes a $25,000 prize and trip to Hawaii.<\/p>\n
“She wouldn\u2019t talk, frowned all the time and had accidents every day,” Bertoch said. “As soon as I had that mind and heart-shift with her, behaviors and our rapport improved, with mom, too.”<\/p>\n
Teachers in the national competition are divided into groups and must advance through eight public voting rounds to reach the finals.<\/p>\n
Voting began March 16 and runs through May 21. The grand prize winner will be announced around June 5.<\/p>\n
The competition launched in 2024 and is operated by Colossal, a professional fundraising management company that supports charities and community organizations. Cosponsors include The Planetary Society, Hammermill and Paper Mate.<\/p>\n
Bertoch also serves as the District 5 representative with the Leon Classroom Teachers Association.<\/p>\n
“Rebecca Bertoch is an outstanding example of a dedicated educator,” LCTA President Scott Mazur said. “She is a staunch supporter of her students and the needs that they have. We’re extremely proud of her and look forward to her win.”<\/p>\n