Tag Archives: Math Teachers

Erin Oban, a former ND math teacher, appointed her state’s Director for Rural Development

Posted on by

Former North Dakota math teacher Erin Oban now serves as the State Director for her state’s office of USDA Rural Development after previously serving in the ND State Seante. Photo Credit: US Dept. of Agriculture

Many gifted classroom teachers also make excellent lawmakers. One example of this is Erin Oban, a former junior high school math teacher who has been appointed the State Director for the office of USDA Rural Development. Previously, she served in the North Dakota State Senate.

Erin was born July 25, 1982, in Ray, North Dakota. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education at the University of Mary. After her college graduation, she accepted a position as a mathematics and technology teacher at Cathedral School in Bismarck, North Dakota. There she had a reputation among her 7th and 8th grade students for being genuine, hardworking, and kind. “I think one of her most admirable qualities is her authentic support. I never felt uncomfortable asking a question or embarrassed to speak up, because she always made me feel like my contribution to the class was important and appreciated,” remembered former student Danielle Finn. “Most importantly, (Mrs.) Oban took the time to listen to me whenever I wanted to be heard. She would come early to answer questions and stay late for those who needed help. She truly wanted all of her students to succeed, not just at school, but also in life,” Danielle concluded.

In 2014, Erin was elected to the North Dakota State Senate on the Democratic ticket to represent the 35th District. She served there from Dec. 1, 2014, to March 27, 2022. While in the Senate, her interest in matters relating to education did not decrease. The former classroom teacher served on the Education Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the Judicial Committee, and the Committee for Employee Benefits Programs. She also served as the Chairman of the Education Policy Committee and, from 2021 to 2022, as the Assistant Minority Leader and a member of the Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve Education Coordination Council. In addition to her legislative role, Erin worked as the Executive Director of Tobacco Free North Dakota, a nonprofit organization. She helped pass a bill banning e-cigarette sales to minors.

Erin resigned from the North Dakota State Senate when President Joe Biden appointed her State Director for her state’s office of USDA Rural Development. Her employment there began March 28, 2022. There she will oversee operations that support economic development and that offers programs, loans, grants, and technical assistance for rural residents, communities, and organizations.

 

Florida teacher Lori Price garners PAEMST award

Posted on by

Florida elementary math teacher Lori Price has garnered a prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Photo Credit: Lori Price

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who have garnered honors for their work. One of these is Lori Price, an elementary school math teacher from Florida who has been named a recipient of a prestigious PAEMST award.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, honors the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a $10,000 cash prize.

Lori says she feels extremely honored to have been named a recipient of the recognition. “This award reaffirms the importance of building a student-centered community where risk-taking is encouraged and mistakes are seen as important learning opportunities,” she declares.

Lori has been an educator for more than 30 years. She is currently working as a Professional Development coordinator at the Discovery School, a private elementary school located in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to that, she taught in St. Johns County District Schools in Ponte Vedra Beach for 16 years. Lori says she strives to inspire all students to see themselves as capable learners with important ideas. She develops lessons that allow her students to engage in tasks that develop conceptual understanding and then use that understanding to derive strategies for solving problems. And she emphasizes cooperative learning. Outside the classroom, Lori founded a Primary Mathematicians Club for primary grade students so they could engage in activities that use real world mathematics.

In addition to her PAEMST, Lori was named the 2020 St. Johns County Teacher of the Year. She also participated in the District Teacher Advisory Group and is a member of the Florida Math Standards Committee. She has also served as the President of the St. Johns County Elementary Math Council and she has led the annual mathematics conference. Furthermore, she has presented on various topics at the state and national levels.

Lori earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She earned her degree in Mathematics at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in 2022.

Rhode Island names math teacher Lisa Garcia the state’s Teacher of the Year

Posted on by

High school math teacher Lisa Garcia of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, was selected as her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: WPRI.com

Hearty congratulations are due to Lisa Garcia, a secondary school mathematics teacher from North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She has been named her state’s 2022 Teacher of the Year.

In a career that has spanned 30 years, Lisa has taught 27 of them at North Kingstown High School. The courses she has instructed include Algebra, Honors Algebra, Calculus, Advanced Placement Calculus, Trigonometry, and Computer Science.

Lisa strives to create a classroom environment that promotes curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration. When she designs her instruction, she places emphasis on a rigorous curriculum and on developing the skills needed to become lifelong learners. Her lessons connect her students with the global community and inspire them to think beyond the four walls of the classroom. And she actively supports the social and emotional growth of her kids.

In addition to teaching math, Lisa organizes fundraisers and decorates the school for events such as Spirit Week. She served as Lead Teacher on the school’s international Mason Tours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded the Flocked Fundraiser, a pandemic-safe way of celebrating the school’s graduating seniors by placing flamingos on their lawns to help raise morale. And as if all that were not enough, Lisa also mentors beginning teachers.

Lisa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Mathematics and her Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Rhode Island College.

The Teacher of the Year Award Program was founded in 1952 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to bring recognition to the importance of teachers as nurturers of the American Dream. His goal to honor all teachers by the selection of a representative teacher from each state would result in the yearly selection of a National Teacher of the Year. This is accomplished through a selection process that involves classroom teachers, school administrators, state officials, students, parents, and business representatives.

To read more about Lisa Garcia, see this article about her published by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

VT math teacher Glenda Allen earns prestigious PAEMST award

Posted on by

Congratulations to elementary school math teacher Glenda Allen of Barre, Vermont, who has earned a prestigious PAEMST award. Photo Credit: PSEMST

It is always exciting when a member of the professional community earns recognition for their work in the classroom. Glenda Allen, an elementary school teacher from Barre, Vermont, has earned such recognition. In 2020, she garnered a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

This prestigious award honors the dedication, hard work, and important role that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers. The honor comes with a $10,000 prize, a certificate signed by President Joe Biden, and a trip to Washington, DC, to attend an honors ceremony with the President.

Glenda inaugurated her career as an educator since 1998. For 22 years, she has worked at Barre Town Middle and Elementary School teaching fourth through sixth grades. Currently, she specializes in sixth grade mathematics. Prior to that, Glenda taught fourth grade at Arbor Elementary School.

As an elementary teacher, Glenda has taught all content areas, but her shift to specializing in mathematics nine years ago led to a self-driven journey of professional development. This remarkable educator has spent many hours in reflection on the engagement and effectiveness of her lessons and experimentation with new learning strategies. She says that while her mathematics toolbox has grown, it still has plenty of room for more. As a veteran teacher, she considers herself to still be learning how to best motivate and reach all learners of mathematics.

In addition to her responsibilities in the classroom, Glenda is influential in leadership roles that impact her entire school district. She has served as a grade level contact, a middle school leadership team representative, a data team representative, a curriculum committee leader, a chairperson and secretary for the local standards board, and a member of the negotiating team. Additionally, she is the teacher representative for the Vermont State Licensing Hearing Panel.

Glenda earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1997. She also holds a Certificate of Advanced Standing in Elementary and Special Education from the College of St. Elizabeth. In 2006, Glenda earned her Master’s degree from Union Institute and University.

Delaware’s Brandi Luloff has garnered prestigious PAEMST award

Posted on by

Elementary school math teacher Brandi Luloff of Delaware has garnered a 2022 PAEMST award. Photo Credit: paemst.org

I always enjoy sharing stories about exceptional educators who have earned recognition for their work in the classroom. One of these is Brandi Luloff, an elementary teacher from Delaware who has garnered a  2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This prestigious award honors the dedication, hard work, and important role that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, innovators, space explorers, and engineers.

In a career that has spanned 17 years, Brandi has spent the last six of them at Townsend Elementary School in Townsend, Delaware. She spent the previous six years teaching at Maclary Elementary and Gallaher Elementary Schools in the Christina School District. Prior to that, she taught kindergarten for five years at Bright Horizons Family Solutions.

In her classroom, Brandi uses problem-based learning and she designs curriculum that engages her students in real-world scenarios.

Brandi’s passion for teaching and mathematics goes beyond her classroom walls. She serves her school as a full-time Instructional Coach, a role in which she works closely with classroom teachers to support student learning across the curriculum. Also, she represents her school as the District Math Content Chair Representative and on the Math Task Leadership team. In addition, Brandi collaborates with the District Leadership Team to organize and facilitate curriculum events for families and staff. And she conducts Professional Learning Community meetings and District professional development programs.

In addition to her PAEMST honors, Brandi was named her District’s Teacher of the Year in 2018.

Brandi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s degree in Elementary/Special Education from Wilmington University. She is currently attending Wilmington University to earn a Master’s degree in School Leadership and Administration.

To learn more about Brandi Luloff, see this article published in the Appoquinimink District News.