Tag Archives: Math Teachers

Charlie Mary Noble of Texas was a stellar astronomy teacher

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High school mathematics teacher Charlie Mary Noble of Texas was a stellar pioneer in teaching astronomy to students of all ages. Photo credit: Fort Worth Museum

Many outstanding educators make significant contributions to their chosen fields of study. One stellar teacher who did this was Charlie Mary Noble, a mathematics and astronomy teacher from Fort Worth, Texas.

Charlie Mary was born to a pioneer family at Giddings, Texas on Oct. 31, 1877. As a young woman, she attended Warren Institute in Fort Worth and Sam Houston State College. At a time when most women didn’t go to college, Charlie Mary earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a Master’s degree from Texas Christian University (TSU).

Charlie Mary inaugurated her 46-year career as a public school teacher in 1897. She taught mathematics at Paschal High School. While there she established the campus Penta Club, one of the first science clubs for young people to exist in Fort Worth. She also served her school as the Chair of the Mathematics Department. Although she officially retired from the public school system in 1943, she didn’t stop her teaching activities.

During World War II, Charlie Mary agreed to teach a course in celestial navigation designed for US Navy officer trainees at TCU, and in 1947 she began teaching an astronomy course at TCU. That same year she organized a Junior Astronomy Club at the Fort Worth Children’s Museum. A similar club for adults was organized, and was christened the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, an organization that still exists today. Read more about this organization at Fort Worth Astronomical Society.

From 1957—1958 Charlie Mary organized and ran an innovative group she called the Moonwatch Program. Participants were members of her Junior Astronomy Club at the Museum. She trained the children to track the positions of Sputnik and other satellites for the US government, and the kids also helped scientists to determine their precise orbits. For their work, the Moonwatch team was recognized by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

And as if all this were not enough, Charlie Noble was a member of the Woman’s Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Lecture Foundation, the Faculty Women’s Club of Texas Christian University, the Texas Academy of Science, and the Tarrant County Historical Society.

For her many years of service as an educator, Charlie Mary earned many accolades. She garnered an honorary doctorate from TCU in 1950. In 1954 she received an Altrusa Civic Award which recognized her as the “First Lady of Fort Worth” for promoting interest in astronomy in young people. In 1955 the Museum’s planetarium was dedicated in her honor, and in 1956 she became the first woman to receive the Astronomical League’s annual award for her promotion of knowledge in the field of astronomy.

This amazing Chalkboard Champion passed away Nov. 30, 1959, in Fort Worth, at the age of 82. She was interred in Greenwood Cemetery.

AZ math teacher Kristi Peterson garners coveted PAEMST

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Arizona math teacher Kristi Peterson has garnered a coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Photo credit: PAEMST

There are many outstanding educators working with America’s young people in our nation’s public schools. One of these is Kristi Peterson of Arizona. In January, 2025, she was recognized by President Joe Biden with a coveted Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Kristi teaches mathematics at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, Arizona. There she instructs courses in Honors Algebra 1 and Algebra II to students in grades nine through twelve. She also serves as an instructional coach there. Previously, Kristi was employed as the Secondary Math Coordinator for Gilbert High School Ray High School. In addition, she has worked as an adjunct faculty member at Chandler Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, and Central Arizona College. In all, she has been an educator for 31 years.

In her classroom, Kristi challenges students to build an understanding of mathematical concepts through exploration and collaboration. She emphasizes critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills. “I am far from the same teacher I was when I started teaching,” declares Kristi. “Just as I expect my students to challenge themselves, I strive to improve all the time,” she continues.

In addition to her work with students, Kristin serves her school as the Mathematics Department Chair, a member of the School Improvement Committee, and the co-sponsor for the Student Council.

Kristi earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Arizona State University and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize 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 meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

Kansas math teacher Robin Anderson earns prestigious PAEMST

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Middle School math teacher Robin Anderson of Andover, Kansas, has bee honored by Pres. Joe Biden with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Photo credit: Andover Middle School

There are many outstanding educators working with America’s young people in our nation’s public schools. One of these is Robin Anderson, a middle  school mathematics teacher from Kansas. In January, 2025, she was recognized by President Joe Biden with a prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Robin currently teaches Pre-Algebra and Algebra I, at Andover Middle School. She has worked in this capacity since 2019. Previously she served for 19 years as a counselor with Andover Public Schools. In all, her career as an educator spans 30 years.

In a press release, the National Science Foundation stated that “Robin is passionate about making her students effective problem solvers. She strives to have minds-on class discussions and allows their forward thinking to guide their Math Genius Hour projects and presentations. Most of her students and their parents believe her communication is what helps students develop into confident, logical thinkers.”

Robin earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pittsburgh State University in 1997. She earned her Master’s degree from Wichita State University in 1999, and a Master’s degree in Counseling from the same school in 2006.

The PAEMST, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, recognize 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 meeting with the President and a $10,000 cash prize.

Meet Virginia’s 2025 State Teacher of the Year: Avanti Yamamoto

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Virginia math teacher Avanti Yamamoto has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Richmond

There are many outstanding educators working in our nation’s schools today, all of them deserving of special recognition. One of them is Avanti Yamamoto, a high school mathematics teacher from Hanover County, Virginia. She has been named her state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year!

Avanti teaches precalculus and International Baccalaureate math applications and interpretations at Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia. In her classroom, Avanti prioritizes critical thinking and real-world connections, ensuring that students of all abilities feel capable and supported in their learning. She says she is committed to inclusive teaching, working with students who are in special education programs all the way to advanced math courses. She also collaborates with teachers in other disciplines, working with her colleagues to design innovative math projects that blend creativity with pracical applications.

Beyond the classroom, Avanti writes a blog entitled, Beyond the Bell. She also participates in statewide presentations, where she highlights inspiring stories of educators from across the commonwealth who are making meaningful impacts and offers suggestions for creating positive environments among her colleagues. Furthermore, she has spoken internationally about educational practices, including audiences of teachers in rural Manthani, India, where she has deep personal ties.

Avanti’s passion for education was inspired by a university professor who made math accessible and exciting, Avanti says. That professor motivated her to reconsider a career in medicine, and choose instead a career path where she helps students see themselves as “math people.”

Avanti earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biomathematics from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2012. She is currently working on her Master’s degree in Education from James Madison University. In addition, she is a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood Mathematics. Her career as an educator spans ten years.

In addition to her State Teacher of the Year honors, Avanti has been named a Hanover Scholars Honored Educator multiple times, and she is also a finalist for Hanover County’s Innovator of the Year award.

Iowa’s Brett Hoyer: Exceptional baseball coach and math teacher

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Math teacher and Head Baseball Coach Brett Hoyer of Cedar Rapids, Iowas, was inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2024. Photo credit: The Cedar Rapids Gazette

We are hot in the middle of baseball season, so how about shining a spotlight on an exceptional baseball coach today? One such coach is Brett Hoyer, a teacher and coach at John F. Kennedy High School located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Brett’s tenure as Head Baseball Coach at spans a total of 34 seasons. He has spent 31 of them at Kennedy. In addition, he has served the school as the Offensive Coordinator for the varsity football team. And he also teaches a variety of mathematics courses at the school.

The talented coach led his baseball team, whose mascot is the Cougars, to 14 state tournaments, and to the Class 4A State Championships four times over the past three decades. There his teams captured the first-place honors twice, in 2015 and in 2024.

Brett says his work with high school students, both in the classroom and on the field, is very rewarding. “I know some people dread their jobs, and I’m not one of those people,” he said in an 2014 interview. “I really enjoy working with young people, both in the mathematics classroom and certainly coaching. It makes it awfully easy to get out of bed in the morning and come to work,” he continued. His love for the job has been rewarded. For his work as a coach, Brett was inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Association Coaches’ Hall of Fame in 2014.

After his graduation from Regina High School, Brett earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education at Wartburg College, a private liberal arts college located in Waverly, Iowa. He was in his junior year there when he made his decision to become a math teacher and athletic coach. He earned his Master’s degree at University of Iowa located in Iowa City. He retired in 2024 after a total of 36 years in the profession.

To learn more about Brett Hoyer, watch could watch this podcast interview of him posted on YouTube.