Tag Archives: Math Teachers

Teachers who specialized in math.

TN teacher Emily McDonald garners Excellence in STEM Teaching Award

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Congratulations to high school STEM teacher Emily McDonald of Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has garnered an Excellence in STEM Teaching Award. Photo Credit: Emily Ann McDonald

Congratulations are due to high school STEM teacher Emily McDonald from Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has garnered an Excellence in STEM Teaching Award.

The Excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Teaching Award acknowledges a teacher who embodies STEM-integrated teaching strategies, classroom innovation, and whose efforts have resulted in positive student learning outcomes.

Emily teaches mathematics at University High School in the Hamilton County School District. University High is part of a unique partnership between the school district and the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (UTC). In fact, the high school is located right on the university campus. The school serves students at no cost. The cost of the program is supported financially through grants and shared resources. Emily has taught at the school for nine years. Throughout her career, Emily has taught courses in Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Honors Calculus, and ACT Prep.

This innovative educator has a reputation for engaging her students by presenting them with real-world scenarios and relevant problems, while at the same time nurturing their independence. “In my classroom, I strive to foster a culture where students understand the application of mathematics in their everyday lives,” she declares. In developing her curriculum, she allows for diverse perspectives and interests, and she values choice. She strives to empower her students with problem-solving skills that set them up for success in their future educational and career choices. Furthermore, by emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of STEM fields, she illustrates how mathematics connects to technology and practical applications.

Emily earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in 2014 and her Master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction in 2015, both from Tennessee Technical University. She earned her PhD in STEM Education with a concentration in Mathematics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 2015. She is also a Google Certified Trainer.

Texas math educator Alene Baker inducted into the AAEAHP

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High school math teacher Alene Baker was inducted into the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame (AAEAHP) . Photo Credit: AAEAHP

There are many outstanding educators who teach in America’s public schools. One of these is Alene Baker, a respected mathematics teacher from Texas. She has been inducted into the African American Education Archives and History Program Texas Hall of Fame (AAEAHP) in 2023. The organization honors educators who have had a positive role in the African American education experience in Dallas County, Texas.

Alene graduated from high school the valedictorian of her class. She then earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View.She earned her Master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Commerce.

Once she earned her degrees, Alene inaugurated her career as a high school mathematics teacher at I.M. Terrell High School in Fort Worth in 1969. She went on to teach at L.G. Pinkston, H. Grady Spruce, and the Business & Management Magnet schools in the Dallas Independent School District. In all, her career as an educator spanned 35 years.

As a result of her hard work and expertise, the number of students who passed math courses increased, and their interest in mathematics improved. She is most proud of hearing success stories of her former students.

In addition to working directly with students, Alene served as a curriculum writer, resource person, department chairperson, staff development chairperson, and an alternative certification mentor. She also tutored students to help them master the state’s mandatory tests.

For this work, Alene earned many accolades. In addition to her induction into the AAEAHP, she was named her school’s Teacher of the Year in 1987. She was also named among Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

To learn more about the African America Education Archives and History Program, click on this link to their website.

Teacher, WWII internee, and US Army veteran Tadashi Tsufura

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Math teacher Tadashi Tsufura was an internee in a Japanese American internment camp, and later a US Army veteran. Photo Credit: Japanese American Museum

There are many talented educators who are stellar teachers largely because they have overcome tough personal circumstances themselves. One of these was Tadashi Tsufura, a math teacher and principal in New York City who spent several years of his childhood in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

Tadashi was born on September 17, 1930, in Los Angeles, California. He was the third son of a Buddhist minister and a teacher who immigrated to the United States from Japan.

The youngster’s life changed dramatically on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Empire of Japan. Prejudice against Japanese people living in the United States ran high, and even the US government was guilty of racial profiling. On his 12th birthday, Tadashi and his family were forced by the United States to move to one of the two Gila River internment camps located in a desert valley in Arizona. They were among approximately 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry who were interned during the war. Many of those interned were American citizens.

As a young man, Tadashi determined to serve his country in the military. He enlisted in the Army in 1951 and fought on the front lines of the Korean War from until 1953. After his discharge, Tadashi earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Fenn College. The college is now known as Cleveland State University.

Although Tadashi enjoyed success as a chemical engineer, he was not happy in his work. He moved to New York City where his brother was living. Because the city was experiencing a shortage of educators, the scientist decided to try teaching. He completed education courses at Brooklyn College and then accepted a position as a math teacher at two schools in Manhattan.

Before long, Tadashi was promoted to the position of principal of PS 41 in Greenwich Village, where he worked for eight years. Then he was promoted to the position of Deputy Superintendent of District 3 on the Upper West Side. He retired in 1988.

Sadly, Tadashi Tsufura passed away from coronavirus on March 29, 2020, in New York City. He was 89 years old. To read more about this amazing Chalkboard Champion, see this link at the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.

Middle school teacher Monica Galloway garners 2024 VFW honor

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It is always my pleasure to shine a spotlight on an outstanding classroom teacher who has also served in the United States Armed Forces. Today, I spotlight Monica Galloway, a middle school teacher in Laurel, Maryland. She has garnered a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Middle school teacher Monica Galloway, a US Army veteran, has garnered a 2024 Smart/Maher National Citizenship Education Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Photo credit: VFW

Monica, a United States Army veteran, works as a sixth grade math teacher at Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School in Laurel, Maryland. Her consideration for the award was sponsored by the J. Paul Duke Jr. Memorial VFW Post 9376 in Clinton, Maryland. Monica was selected for her dedication to increasing participation in her county’s Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC). Additionally, she has been lauded for establishing a program known as Immigrant Experiences, and instructional program to help promote diversity and build stronger, culturally responsive, supportive classrooms.

Each year, the VFW selects one elementary, one middle school, and one high school teacher to receive the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher award. The honor recognizes outstanding teachers for their exceptional commitment to teaching Americanism and patriotism to their students through promoting civic responsibility, flag etiquette, and patriotism in the classroom. The award was established in 1999 and named after former VFW National Commander John Smart and retired VFW Quartermaster General Larry Maher. Monica will be presented with a check for $1,000 which she can use for professional development and $1,000 for her school during the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, July 27-Aug. 1, 2024.

To read more, click on this link to VFW website.

RI STEM teacher Elizabeth “Liz” Patterson wins prestigious award

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Rhode Island STEM teacher Elizabeth “Liz” Patterson has been named the 2023 Carol Giuriceo Computer Science Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: Computer Science 4 Rhode Island

I am always eager to share the story of an exceptional educator who is working in one of our nation’s public schools. Today, I shine the spotlight on Elizabeth Patterson, a high school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) teacher from Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She was named the 2023 Dr. Carol Giurica Computer Science Teacher of the Year.

The annual award traces it’s origin back to 2021, when the Rhode Island Computer Science (CS) Teacher of the Year Award was established in honor of educator Dr. Carol Giuriceo, a frontrunner and champion of Computer Science instruction throughout the state of Rhode Island. Carol was passionate about including a variety of perspectives in all areas of her work. The award recognizes teachers who embody and advance the impact of Carol’s work through collaboration, leadership, and innovation. Elizabeth Patterson, who was actually a participant in the team that worked closely with Carol to develop the Rhode Island State Computer Science standards, is certainly a worthy candidate for the award. Liz has a history of advocating vociferously for Computer Science in her school and district, which has led to increased opportunities for all Portsmouth students to engage in and further pursue computer science.

Elizabeth, who prefers to be called “Liz”, teaches STEM courses at Portsmouth High School. She teaches Math, Computer Science, and Advanced Placement Computer Science. In her courses, Liz includes lessons on Java, video game development, and computer science principles. In 2014, she advised a team of 10 students from her school as they participated in a computer competition run by the US Air Force to help combat cyberterrorism. Acting as a team, the students worked to discover such threats as malware, password violations, and unnecessary services as part of the CyberPatriot Defense Program.

To learn more about Elizabeth Patterson or Dr. Carol Giurica, click here.