PALM COAST, Fla. —  Flagler County A+ Teacher Robert Cerasi is proof that amazing instructors really can have an incredible impact on their students.

In Cerasi's case, it's a full-circle moment.

"I believe that I have the best job — that every day when I see children, that I can make a positive impact," he says.

Cerasi has a unique way of getting his students moving — like during a recent scavenger hunt at Rymfire Elementary School when he incorporated math and other subjects into the physical activity. 

"I think it's very important because not only are they getting the exercise that they need, they're sharpening up their math skills,” Cerasi says. “Also, I like to incorporate ELA (English language arts), like sight words, with the other kids."

He was his students’ age when he says amazing teachers helped him develop a love of sports. 

"That got me into team sports, and I was fortunate to get an athletic scholarship in college for basketball and baseball, and while I was there, I was studying elementary education,” Cerasi says.

He landed a job as a physical education teacher at a Catholic school and never looked back. This is his 17th year at Rymfire Elementary, although he's been teaching for 24 years.

"I really, really do have a passion for teaching," Cerasi says.

With every class, he wants his students to get a few takeaways.

"While they're having fun, I want them to learn about work ethic and working toward goals and really trying to be active," he says.

Those are skills that can take them a long way, Cerasi says.

"Just try your best because when you try your best in anything, you're going to get results, whether they’re playing in sports or in their academics,” he says. “I know at the end, it's going to pay off."

Besides teaching in the classroom, Cerasi has been the director and coach of the Rymfire Elementary School Running Club for 17 consecutive years.