Tag Archives: Math Teachers

NY educator Ayanna Emanuel receives 2022-2023 Big Apple Award

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Educator Ayanna Emanuel, who teaches junior high school math, has been named a recipient of a Big Apple Award for 2022-2023. Photo Credit: New York City Department of Education

It is always my pleasure to share stories about outstanding educators. One of these is Ayanna Emanuel, a junior high school math teacher from New York. Ayanna has been named a recipient of a Big Apple Award for 2022-2023.

Ayanna says the driving force behind all of her instructional plans is creating an environment of equity where students develop a genuine appreciation of mathematics. She strives to know each and every one of her students as individuals, and has been able to build a rapport with each one that is based in trust.

Ayanna declares she prioritizes critical thinking over procedural or mechanical work. In her classroom, she begins each lesson asking students what they “notice.” She believes this practice incites curiosity and critical thinking. She says students often notice things that go beyond the mathematical intention behind the questions.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Ayanna is also a member of her school’s Instructional Leadership Team, and she has led a PTA meeting about standards-based grading and the positive impact of growth mindset. In addition, she has initiated vertical alignment of Math Department grading, and works with her District’s Math Equity Group. Furthermore, Ayanna is focused on providing Algebra for All access for all her eighth grade students.

As if all this were not enough, Ayanna created a step dance group as part of an after school program. Step dance gives the students an opportunity to express themselves freely while building community.

This is the tenth year that the Big Apple Awards have honored outstanding educators for their leadership, dedication to students, and contributions to their school communities. Each year, 20 educators across New York City are recognized. They represent all five boroughs and teach a range of subject areas and grade levels.

How can an English teacher who hates math successfully teach trigonometry?

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English teacher Amy Schwarzbach-Kang from Chicago, Illinois, got roped, unwillingly, into teaching a trigonometry class. Over time, the course became her favorite class of the day, she says. Photo Credit: Linked In

Recently I stumbled across an absolutely fascinating story about an English teacher from Chicago, Illinois, who got roped, unwillingly, into teaching a trigonometry class.

“I had always hated math. Now I suddenly found myself teaching trigonometry,” confesses Amy Schwartzbach-Kang. “I was an English teacher in Chicago Public Schools with certification in Special Education, and when my school was facing a shortage of certified Special Education teachers, I was pulled in mid-year to co-teach a junior-level trigonometry class with the math teacher,” she said.

Despite her initial unwillingness, as time passed, trig became her favorite class of the day, Amy reveals. “After spending years teaching English and reading, I was being challenged to move beyond what I had always been doing,” she says. “When you’re new to something, you have a fresh perspective. You’re willing to take risks. You’re willing to try anything because you don’t know how something should be done,” she continued.

So how would an English teacher who hates math overcome her subject-prejudice, successfully teach a course in trigonometry, and even learn to love it? You can discover her ingenious strategy in the article she wrote entitled  Learning Math by Seeing it as a Story. The article was published by Edutopia on March 26, 2019. Check it out!

IL educator Brandy Hempen garners prestigious PAEMST honors

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Elementary school educator Dr. Brandy Hempen of Illinois has garnered prestigious 2022 PAEMST honors. Photo Credit: Illinois Association of Regional Superintendent of Schools.

I am always excited to share stories about exceptional educators who have earned accolades for their work in the classroom. One of these is Dr. Brandy Hempen, an elementary school teacher who has garnered a 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

At the time of her nomination for the PAEMST in 2020, Brandy was teaching at Germantown Elementary School in Germantown in southern Illinois. In a career that has spanned ten years, she has taught in grades three, five, seven, and eight. She also served as a curriculum coordinator and instructional coach for kindergarten through eighth grade at Germantown Elementary School District 60. In addition to her work in the classroom, Brandy has conducted conferences on a variety of educational topics specializing in teaching mathematics in the 21st century. Currently she is an instructor of educational technology and leadership at the Teachers College at Western Governors University.

Brandy’s PAEMST is not the only recognition she has earned. In 2018, she was one of 27 educators from all over the globe selected by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development to serve as an Emerging Leader in Education. Additionally, in her early years of teaching, she was selected as an Early Career Educator by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The honored educator credits her fifth grade teacher for planting the idea to become a teacher in her mind. “My fifth grade teacher played a huge role in my life. She couldn’t have kids, so she kind of took me under her wing. I distinctly remember her saying to me one day, ‘You should be a teacher,'” she recalls. While she was working on her Bachelor’s degree, Brandy says, “I was doing my demonstration teaching in a second grade classroom and I fell head over heels in love with this work! As a student teacher, I wasn’t even getting paid, yet I couldn’t wait to wake up and go to work each day. That sealed it for me. I’ve been an educator ever since,” she concluded.

Brandy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in differentiated instruction, and her PhD in Educational Technology and Leadership.

RI teacher Nicolle Greene garnered PAEMST Award

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Elementary teacher Nicolle Greene of Warwick, Rhode Island, garnered a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching in 2020.  Photo Credit: PAEMST

It is always exciting when a fellow educator earns recognition for their work from the President of the United States. Nicolle Greene, an elementary school teacher from Rhode Island, earned this recognition in 2020, when she garnered a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching (PAEMST).

At the time of her ward, Nicolle Greene had been teaching elementary school for 25 years, all in the Warwick Public School District in Warwick, Rhode Island. For the last five years of those, she served as a Math Interventionist at Holliman Elementary School. Prior to that she taught third grade and Special Education at E.G. Robertson Elementary School.

As an educator, Nicolle has a reputation for being passionate about helping her students love mathematics and recognizing its relevance in their everyday lives. She works to ensure mathematics is presented in a context that is meaningful and engaging to her students, provides a classroom culture that promotes student engagement and discourse, and encourages mathematical thinking that meets the needs of all students which enables them to be successful learners in her classroom.

In addition to her work with students, Nicolle provides professional development for colleagues, modeling lessons within the classroom, and serving as a member of school and district leadership teams. She also has been active within her state through various initiatives with the Rhode Island Department of Education and as President-Elect for the Rhode Island Mathematics Teachers Association (RIMTA). Most recently, Nicolle collaborated with Berkeley Everett, creator of Math Flips, to facilitate a session for RIMTA’s Annual Spring Conference.

The honored educator earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education and her certificate as a Mathematics Specialist, all from Rhode Island College. She also earned her Master’s degree in Reading and Literacy from Providence College.

In addition to her PAEMST honors, in 2015, Nicolle was recognized as Warwick’s District Teacher of the Year. Congratulations, Nicolle!

To learn more about the Awards, click on this link to PAEMST.

Texas teacher Kristin “Kristy” Butler earns PAEMST award

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Texas middle school teacher Kristin “Kristy” Butler has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Photo Credit: Kristy Butler

I am always excited to share the story of an exceptional teacher who has earned  recognition for their work in the classroom. Kristin Butler, an elementary school teacher from Trophy Club, Texas, has earned such recognition. In 2020, she garnered a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Kristen, who prefers to be called “Kristy,” has been an educator for the past 18 years. She has spent the last three years teaching sixth grade mathematics at Medlin Middle School. Prior to that, she taught mathematics at Travis Middle School for ten years. There she served two years as a mathematics instructional coach and interventionist. The first three years of Kristy’s teaching career were spent at Tannahill Intermediate School.

Kristy is best-known for building relationships with students and creating innovative, technology-driven lessons. She has a growth mindset, and is continuously looking for ways to engage and relate to her students. Her role as a Pear Deck Regional Coach has strengthened her passion for using technology in her classroom.

Kristy’s campus involvement goes beyond the classroom. She serves on her school’s committees for Campus Improvement, Character Council, and Teacher Appreciation. She has spent many years writing curriculum and serving as Mathematics Department Chair. She presents professional development workshops at her school and at district conferences, and she also  serves as her district’s New Teacher Mentor Coordinator. Kristy has served as a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. In addition, she has also completed the Teaching Trust Ed Fellows Leadership Program.

Kristy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from Texas Christian University, and her Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Arlington. She is also certified to teach English as a second language.