By Rehan Mathew Koshy, Sports Editor

Walking through the halls of his previous school in Florida, Dr. Robert John Hovel, Jr. was not only known as a dedicated teacher, but also the driving force behind student government, National Honor Society, pep rallies and homecoming dances. His enthusiasm for creating a vibrant, spirited school community extended well beyond the classroom. Now, as he steps into his new role at Payton as the AP Psychology teacher, he brings that same energy and passion, ready to inspire students both in and out of the classroom.

Hovel’s journey in education spans over 14 years in Florida, where he taught a variety of subjects including English, SAT prep, life and career planning and, most notably, AP Psychology. With 11 years of experience teaching AP Psychology, he is a passionate advocate for the field, hoping to inspire the next generation of psychologists.

Beyond academics, Hovel has taken on many leadership roles. He managed all aspects of his previous school’s community and spirit. He even ventured into game show hosting, emceeing and many other impressive activities.

At Payton, Hovel aims to infuse the school with the same knowledge and spirit he fostered in his previous position. “I’m hoping I can bring some new knowledge about psychology and new knowledge about school spirit to Payton,” he said. His goal is to create both good energy and a solid learning environment.

When asked what his favorite part of Payton has been so far, he replied, “All the kids are really good at Payton. You guys are a great group of kids. You’re really smart. You’re really driven. You really want to be here for the right reasons.”

Hovel added, “All the adults that I work with here at Payton are really great. All the teachers, all the administration I’ve interacted with, everybody is really just a strong system of adults here who work here… I’m really happy to be here.”

Outside the classroom, Hovel’s personality shines through his hobbies and interests. He is an avid collector of physical music formats like vinyl records and often explores record stores in search of hidden gems. His music tastes favor upbeat house and pop music (anything lively and danceable) and he calls himself “not too much of a headbanger.”

Hovel also values physical fitness and wellbeing, working out at the gym five or six days a week for a couple of hours a day. He enjoys shows like Real Housewives and RuPaul’s Drag Race.

When asked if he has any pieces of advice to offer to Payton students, he said, “When you develop confidence in yourself, it allows you to make the right choices that are going to best suit you as an adult. So when you know what you want to study in school, when you know what your life is all about… everything else will kind of fall into place as it needs to.”

Hovel’s first months at Payton have been a positive start, and he is looking forward to bringing his multifaceted personality along with his commitment to student engagement to the Payton community. His blend of academic passion and school spirit promises an exciting and supportive environment for Payton students to thrive.