New York educator Kay Toliver  creates innovative and dynamic mathematics programs. Photo credit: The Futures Channel.

Many chalkboard champions have been recognized nationally for creating innovative and dynamic programs in their subject area. One such educator in Kay Toliver of New York City.

Kay was born and raised in East Harlem and the South Bronx. As a youngster, she attended Harriet Beecher Stowe Junior High, Walton High School, and Hunter College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1967 and her Master’s degree in 1971. Additionally, Kay completed graduate work in mathematics at the City College of New York.

For more than 30 years, Kay taught mathematics and communication arts at P.S. 72/East Harlem Tech in Community School District 4. Prior to instructing seventh and eighth grade students, she taught grades one through six for 15 years. “Becoming a teacher was the fulfillment of a childhood dream,” the dedicated educator once said. “My parents always stressed that education was the key to a better life. By becoming a teacher, I hoped to inspire African-American and Hispanic youths to realize their own dreams. I wanted to give something back to the communities I grew up in,” she continued.

At East Harlem Tech, with the support of her principal, Kay established the Challenger program for grades 4-8. The program presents the basics of geometry and algebra within an integrated curriculum. Although the program was designed for gifted students; because of her strong belief that all students can learn, she accepted pupils from all ability levels.

Challenger offers events that are similar to science fairs but involve students in creating and displaying projects related to mathematics. Participants had to be able to explain the mathematical theories and concepts behind their projects, which were placed on display at the school so that students from the lower grades could examine the older students’ research. Students have created mathematics games such as Dunking for Prime Numbers, Fishing for Palindromes, and Black Jack Geometry.

Kay also developed a lesson called the Math Trail to give students an appreciation for the community as well as an opportunity to see mathematics at work. To create a Math Trail, the class must first do some research on the history of the community. Then, they are instructed to plot a course, starting from the school building, that leads the class through the community and back to school, with stops along the way to visit several sites and create math problems about various real-life situations.

To show teachers throughout the country how she creates enthusiasm for mathematics among her students, Kay has worked with the Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education (FASE) to create a number of educational video products. Most recently, she has worked with The Futures Channel to present staff development institutes and parent engagement events at schools and districts throughout the country. Most recently, Kay has worked with The Futures Channel to present staff development institutes and parent engagement events at schools and districts throughout the country.

For her efforts, Kay has earned many awards, including the Reliance Award for Excellence in Education, Middle School; Outstanding Teacher for Mathematics Instruction, Disney American Teacher Award; the Kilby Award; and the Essence Award.

To learn more about Chalkboard Champion Kay Toliver, see this link to her page at The Futures Channel.

In celebrating Black History Month, we pay homage to Mary Scales, an exemplary math teacher from Tennessee. (Photo credit: Murfreesboro Post.)

In celebrating Black History Month, we pay homage to our country’s many talented and dedicated African American educators. One of these is Mary Scales, an exemplary math teacher from Tennessee.

Mary was born on Sept. 24, 1928, in Columbus, Georgia, although she spent her girlhood in Chicago, Illinois. As a young woman, she earned her Bachelor’s degree from Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee. She earned her Master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). She also completed postgraduate work at both Peabody College and Vanderbilt University,

After she earned her degrees, Mary taught in Murfreesboro at both Bradley Middle School and Boxwood Middle School, where she taught mathematics. She also served the school district as an administrator. Impressed with her abilities in the classroom, she was offered a position in the Education Department at her alma mater, MTSU, where she worked first as an Associate Professor, and then as a full professor. In fact, she was the first African American to join the faculty at that institution of higher learning. Later, Mary would work there as the Dean of Continuing Education and as a math specialist with the Tennessee State Department of Education.

In addition to her work as an educator, Mary dedicated herself to her community as both a member of Murfreesboro City School Board and the Murfreesboro City Council. She was the first Black woman to serve on the Council. This hardworking educator had a reputation for being a strong advocate for Civil Rights.

For her tireless work in the classroom on behalf of children, Mary earned many accolades. She was inducted into the Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame at MTSU in 2001. In 2005, a Murfreesboro elementary school was named in honor of both Mary and her husband, Robert.

Sadly, Mary passed away on Oct. 6, 2013, following a long battle with cancer. She was 85 years old. To learn more about this Chalkboard Champion, see her obituary published by MTSU.

Coronavirus claims the life of beloved math and technology teacher Jeffrey Alston of New York City. (Photo credit: New York State United Teachers)

With great sadness, I must report that coronavirus has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. He is Jeffrey Alston, a teacher at Juan Morel Campos School of the Arts in New York City. Jeffrey passed away on April 12, 2020. He was only 56 years old.

For the past 15 years, Jeffrey taught math and technology at Juan Morel Campos School of the Arts in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The dedicated educator truly enriched his school community. He wrote grant proposals that led to the creation of the school’s computer lab 13 years ago. More recently, he was able to successfully advocate for an upgrade to the lab.

Jeffrey was also known for his wonderful sense of humor and his willingness to lend an ear. “He often chose not to give advice but to guide you to your decisions,” remembers colleague Keith Miller. “I am a better man and teacher for having known Jeff. His best quality was his ability to let you know he was there and he was listening; you knew he cared. That sense remains.” Colleage Camille Stephens agrees. “Alston was not just a teacher. He was a mentor, father figure, and motivator that brought calm and peace to students who were going through turbulent times,” she recalls.

To read more about this beloved educator, see his obituary at the New York State United Teachers.