Tag Archives: Math Teachers

Teachers who specialized in math.

Stephanie Marshall: Inducted into Illinois Hall of Fame

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Stephanie Marshall, a mathematics and science educator from Chicago, Illinois, has been inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame. Photo credit: Stephanie Marshall.

I enjoy sharing stories about exemplary educators. One of these is Stephanie Marshall, a mathematics and science educator from Chicago, Illinois. For her work in the field of education, she has been inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame.

Stephanie was born and raised in The Bronx, New York. As a young girl, she attended East Meadow High School on Long Island, where she graduated in 1963.

Stephanie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education and Sociology from Queens College in Flushing, New York, in 1967. She earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1971. She completed the requirements for her Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Industrial Relations from Loyola University of Chicago in 1983. In addition, she has garnered honorary degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University, Aurora University, and North Central College.

Stephanie taught elementary and junior high in Alsip, Illinois. In addition, she taught graduate courses at National Louis University. Later in her career, she served as the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for the Batavia Public School district 101. From 1983 to 1985, she served that school district as the Superintendent. She has also served as the President of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

Stephanie’s career and life’s work has been dedicated to one guiding principle. “Learning must liberate the goodness and genius that resides within each child; and its design must ignite and nurture the power and creativity of the human spirit for the world,” she asserts.

For her work in the classroom, Stephanie has earned many accolades. She received the Order of Lincoln Laureate Award from the Governor of Illinois in 2005. The award is the highest honor that bestowed by the state of Illinois. In 2007, the former classroom teacher was inducted into the Illinois Hall of Fame.

To learn more about this amazing educator, see her website at Stephanie Pace Marshall.

Krista Stanley named Florida’s 2021 Teacher of the Year

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Krista Stanley, a sixth grade math teacher from Okeechobee, Florida, has been named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Florida Department of Education.

I enjoy sharing stories about outstanding educators who have been recognized for their work in the classroom. One of these is Krista Stanley, a middle school teacher from Okeechobee, Florida. Krista was named her state’s 2021 Teacher of the Year. She was selected from over 176,900 public school teachers for the honor.

As a youngster, Krista graduated from Okeechobee High School in her home town. She then earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Florida State University in 2016.

Krista inaugurated her career as an educator four years ago when she accepted a position at Yearling Middle School in her home town of Okeechobee. The school’s population is described as high poverty and high diversity. She teaches sixth grade mathematics there.

According to David Krakoff, Principal of Yearling Middle School, 86% of Krista’s students earned a proficient score on the Florida State Assessment in 2019. “Krista has mastered the art of meeting the needs of all our students,” asserted Krakoffl. “She is the model of what we can accomplish.”

In addition to her work in the classroom, Krista serves as a coach for her colleagues, a mentor for new teachers, a team leader for the other sixth-grade teachers, and a district math representative. In addition, Krista supports her colleagues through curriculum development, textbook adoption, and professional development.

As the 2021 Florida Teacher of the Year, Krista will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, working to create increased public awareness of Florida’s outstanding teachers and elevating the education profession. In addition, she will receive a check for $20,000, and a two-year Florida College scholarship worth $8,000 to present to a student of her choice, according to the Florida State Department of Education.

Congratulations, Krista! To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, see this article about her published by the Florida State Department of Education.

Montana’s Amanda Curtis: Math educator and politician

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Montana’s Amanda Curtis is a talented high school math teacher and successful politician. Photo credit: Ballotpedia.

Many talented educators also distinguish themselves as successful politicians. One example of this is Montana’s Amanda Morse Curtis, a high school math and physics teacher who has also served in her state’s House of Representatives.

Amanda was born September 10, 1979. Her working-class childhood was anything but idyllic. When she was only four years old, her parents divorced. Amanda watched her mother struggle with mental illness. The family was poor, and at times, they had to live without utilities and rely on food stamps in order to eat. Amanda saw several members of her extended family battle with drugs and alcohol. Two weeks before her high school graduation, Amanda’s younger brother killed himself while playing Russian roulette. He was only 16.

Amanda knew that education was her ticket out of poverty. After graduating from Skyview High School, she attended Montana Technology University of the University of Montana, earning her Bachelor’s of Science in Biology in 2002. She then attended the University of Montana Western where she earned her teaching credential.

After earning her degree, Amanda taught math and physics at Butte Central Catholic High School from 2004-2006. From 2006-2009, she taught math at Helena Middle School, and from 2009, she taught math at Butte High School. She also served as an executive board member for the Butte Teachers Union from 2011-2012.

Amanda began her political career when she was elected on the Democratic ticket to the Montana House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Representing Butte, Montana, in House District 76, Amanda served two terms. She was re-elected to the Montana House in 2016. There she represented District 74 until her term expired in 2019

While in office, she was assigned to the Committees for Business and Labor; Human Services; and Local Government. She sponsored the Hire Montana First Act to create more jobs in her home state, and she fought for increased benefits for volunteer fire fighters and a repeal of state legislation against the gay community. She was also outspoken about gun violence, calling for background checks and better gun-control measures to be enacted.

Naturally, Amanda has expressed her belief in the value of a good education. “As a high school teacher, I know the importance of investing in our students,” she expressed at a 2014 rally at the University of Montana. “Education is a path forward for better paying jobs and securing our economic future,” she continued.

Amanda met her husband, Kevin Curtis, at a rock-climbing store when he was training to be a speed skater. They live in a miner’s cottage in Butte with their cat, Geoff, and their dogs, Billie and Rick. The couple does not have any children. To read more about her, click on this link to her biography on Vote Smart.

New York’s Kay Toliver creates dynamic math programs

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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.

Jamil Siddiqui inducted into National Teachers Hall of Fame

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Jamil Siddiqui, a mathematics teacher from East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, is one of five educators who have been inducted into the 2020 class of the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF). Photo credit: Bostonia Magazine.

Congratulations are due to educator Jamil Siddiqui, a mathematics teacher from East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He is one of five educators who have been inducted into the 2020 class of the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF).

Jamil teaches mathematics, Honors Algebra II, Honors Precalculus, and Advanced Placement Calculus at East Bridgewater Junior/Senior High School in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. During his 27 years as a teacher there, he has coached hundreds of students for the AP Calculus test. On average, seven out of ten of those students receive a score of three or higher on the exam. One in three will score a perfect five. Those statistics are well above the national average.

Over the span of his career, the honored educator has seen 16 of his former students become math teachers. The first was a student from his 1996 class, and the most recent is in their mid-20s, Jamil reports.

In addition to his responsibilities in the classroom, Jamil has worked closely with Mass Insight Education as a Mathematics Lead Teacher since 2012. He has also served as a College Board consultant for AP calculus since 2014. He was named the Massachuetts State Teacher of the Year in 2019.

Colleagues and students often point out Jamil’s pure love of math, and his undying commitment to his school. They say he is the kind of a teacher who hosts barbecues for his students, attends their sports games, and routinely stays late as a club advisor or a confidante. “I always say, you gotta love something, either your subject or your students,” Jamil says. “The best teachers, I think, love both.”

Jamil earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering in 1993, his Masters of Arts in Teaching in 1994, and his Master of Arts degree in Teaching Pure Mathematics in 1998, all from Boston University.

To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to Bostonia Magazine.