“In most sciences one generation tears down what another has built and what one has established another undoes. In mathematics alone each generation adds a new story to the old structure.“
—Hermann Hankel
OCTM recognizes individual efforts all across Oregon in promoting the effective instruction and learning of mathematics. Each Area Representative has an opportunity to identify a person in their region who has made an exceptional effort to encourage mathematical learning opportunities in our state. Oregon teachers and students are truly indebted to the efforts of these dedicated people.
Ed Armstrong, Grant Coordinator for Tillamook School District, was nominated by Lynda Sherman. Ed Armstrong is a well known supporter of education throughout the state. He encourages teachers to step outside the box and push their students to excellence. As a grant coordinator, Ed has implemented many grants that helped improve math education in the Tillamook School District. He has facilitated participation in service-learning projects, Habitat for Humanity, Food Roots, Kiwanis, Department of Forestry, and BLM. These experiences provided teachers with the opportunity to make their learning meaningful while enhancing the community.
Roxanne Malter and Marla Baber nominated RaeAnn Suckow, Math Specialist for Portland Public Schools. During the last two years as a middle-school math specialist, Rae Ann has been continually responsive to district math teachers, providing everything from materials to on-going professional development. RaeAnn is committed to providing opportunities for classroom teachers’ voices to be heard regarding district level decisions on curriculum and policy. She is truly an administrator who advocates for teachers and students. She has an in-depth knowledge of best practices and is an outstanding resource in our district.
Marie Cramer nominated Darrell Trussell, from the Salem School District. Darrell is a full-time math teacher and the math department chair at McNary High School. Darrell has been instrumental in guiding the math department at McNary in the development of professional learning communities as well as staying on the cutting edge in the area of alternative assessment. He has also served as a leader in the district in these areas. In addition, he serves as a trainer to other school districts in the use of College Preparatory Mathematics, a curriculum grounded in best practices and used by Salem-Keizer, Portland, and an increasing number of districts throughout the area. He uses the practices he shares in his own classroom.
Bill Turner, nominated by Marge Burack, is a long time resident of Waldport who for the last several years has dedicated an enormous amount of time mentoring, tutoring and teaching the students at Waldport High School. Bill has tutored science and math students and assisted them in achieving their goals. He uses his engineering skills to help students complete renewable energy projects. He has been an invaluable resource assisting the physics department in multiple ways. He is a man who sees a need and does what it takes to fulfill it.
Lois Nichols from Yolanda Elementary School was nominated by Theresa Hilkey. Mrs. Nichols has been involved in writing testing prompts for the state math assessment as well as participating in professional development at our local ESD. She is innovative and involved in math education and loves to learn.
Les Willet, math instruciton coach for Coos Bay School District, was nominated by Karen Ashcraft. Les has been a math teacher at Sunset Middle School for many years. He has worked hard to use concept-based instruction and good questioning strategies to help students learn mathematics. This year he is a coach who is helping to model these best practices in our district’s schools. He is also working with teachers from this area to implement the new math standards and align curriculum to the standards.
Nanette Lehman of Haines Elementary School in Baker School District 5J was nominated by Dana Marlia. Nanette is a forward-thinking teacher who takes her job very seriously. She understands and applies research-based teaching strategies so every child in her classroom can achieve success. Nanette is an integral part of Baker’s math team and is a tremendous asset to those around her!
Gary Parker, a Blue Mountain Community College pre-service teacher at Pendleton High School, was nominated by Susan Fisher-Alexander. Gary goes above and beyond. He selected a high school student that was struggling in algebra, invited him to his home and worked one-on-one until Octavio’s grades moved from an F to a B. Now the student thinks about doing math as part of his career move. Gary offers him ongoing support. Octavio will graduate this spring and may enter the military. Octavio had no connection with BMCC prior to Gary’s offer to tutor. Gary did this without charge. He goes weekly to his daughter’s classroom to assist her classroom teacher during a math period even though she is only a 3rd grader. He meets regularly with college students outside of his office hours off campus to assist anyone who is needing help with math. He is undiscriminating about whether they are in his class or not. He is just there to help. He was eager to work with the college preservice teachers as well. When Eastern Oregon held a Teacher Math Night, he was eager to help.
Inga Herneisen was nominated by Jane Osborne and teaches in Hood River County School District in Hood River. Inga has been an important grade level leader this year. Her love and knowledge of math has made a positive impact as we implemented our new math program, Bridges in Mathematics. She has provided leadership by creating planners, facilitating district grade level meetings, and offering solutions to problems that arise. Hood River County School District is extremely lucky to have Inga on our team!
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