Richard C. Evans Distinguished Mathematics Educator Award

At the March 2007 New Hampshire Teachers of mathematics Annual Conference, the Richard C. Evans Distinguished Mathematics Educator Award was announced to honor and thank Dr. Evans for his years of service in mathematics education. The intent of this award is to highlight creativity and innovation in the teaching of mathematics to all students. The recipient of this award will represent Dr. Evans' philosophy, passion and knowledge of mathematics education. Dr. Evans has indicated that he would like to be involved in the selection process and awarding the honor at the annual spring conference. The award is presented annually at the spring conference. Nominees are being sought for this year.

 

Qualifications for the Award

 The recipient will:

• Be an experienced teacher or someone who works actively with teachers or students with 5 or more years’ experience teaching mathematics at any level (Pre-K to 16).
• Be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and passionate as a person, teacher, and leader reflecting the character traits as demonstrated by Dr. Evans.
• Demonstrate thinking and reasoning abilities that use models to make mathematics meaningful to students.
• Portray a dedication and organized focus for his/her teaching inside and outside the classroom.
• Actively demonstrate an unsurpassed passion for mathematical process to include problem-solving, reasoning, proof, communication, connections and representations.
• Apply knowledge of standards- and researched-based instructional and assessment strategies in his/her classroom with a true commitment that all children can learn mathematics
• Offer collegiality to fellow mathematics educators through sharing of information, serving as a mentor, offering professional development support, engaging in professional learning communities, serving on school, district or state professional groups, or through other opportunities to enhance the culture and climate of an educational community.
• Be involved with the mathematics educational community through membership and participation in district, regional, state, or national mathematics organizations. His/her involvement has led to significant impact on the mathematics education of students, fellow teachers, administration, parents, or other community members.

 More specific information is provided in the links below:

 

• To View 2019 Evans Award Details click here.
• To view 2019 Evans Application Procedures click here.
• To view 2019 Evans Application Cover Sheet click here.
• To view 2019 Evans Nomination Form click here.
  

Nominations open October 15 

Completed Nomination Form is due by December 15 and should be sent to:

  NHTM Secondary Representative

  secondaryrep@nhmathteachers.org

  

 Completed Nomination Packets are due no later than January 15

  

  If you have questions, you may contact the NHTM Secondary Rep at secondaryrep@nhmathteachers.org

 

Past recipients:

2008 Greg Superchi, Lisbon Regional High School, Lisbon

2009 Stephanie Wheeler, Henry Wilson School, Manchester

2010 Greta Mills, Hanover High School

2011 Dr. Beverly Ferrucci, Keene State College

2012 Christine Downing, Newport School District

2013 Lisa Gingras, Nashua High School South

2014 Lynn Tassi, Mountain View Middle School, Goffstown

2015 No Award Given

2016 No Award Given

2017 Jess Jacques, Merrimack Valley School District, SAU 46

2019 Dan Pooler, Hudson Memorial Middle School

This year, there was an excellent pool of applicants. We are very fortunate to have our finalists

present tonight. They represent excellence in teaching at the elementary, middle and high school

levels.

The first finalist has been in the classroom for 34 years. She is described as loving math and

delighting in exploring its depths. Although not the chair of the department, she is recognized for

her collegial approach to supporting all teachers. As her principal states,” Her math classes are

recognized by students and staff alike as the standard for high expectations and best practice

within the school.” One student related,” I feel absolutely inspired to learn with Ms. Fisher.” Her

accomplishments and awards are too many to list ranging from articles written for mathematics

journals to serving as an AP Reader and presenting at many conferences. The first finalist is Ms.

Lynn Fisher from Lebanon High School.

“Her smile and joy can be seen and felt each day – she absolutely loves her job and it is evident that it is her passion.” These are the words her principal used to describe our next finalist. She has been teaching for 40 years, and currently teacher 6 classes each day. A colleague writes that

she is a “firm believer that all students can learn and she is a natural master at differentiating her

instruction.” She has done extensive work in curriculum, serving in such roles as Math

Curriculum Facilitator and Math/Science Curriculum Administrator. She believes that all

children will rise to the level of our expectations and she maintains those high expectations for

all of her students. The next finalist is Karen Kelly from Hollis Upper Elementary School.

This year’s recipient of the Richard C. Evans Distinguished Mathematics Educator Award has

truly demonstrated his passion for mathematics, both inside and outside the math classroom. His

principal states that “he is a visionary for educational improvement within the building, as well

as, the district.” As department head, he has furthered competency-based education, the

development of Universal Design for Learning practices, and the institution of Instructional

Rounds. A parent cites that he is a “highly dedicated professional who knows how to motivate

his students to strive for excellence.” Our recipient is described as having the same

characteristics as Dick Evans. He does not teach math in isolation, often integrating other STEM

activities. He has Ham Radio operators present to his classes, enabling his students to be in

contact with other students around the world. They also assisted in a balloon launch for which

the students calculated the launch window and the projected travel patterns of the balloons. This

fall, his students will have a live question and answer session with NASA astronauts currently

serving on the International Space Station. These are experiences that students will remember

throughout their lives. This year’s recipient has been teaching for 17 and is currently at Hudson

Memorial Middle School. Please welcome Dan Pooler!

Honorable Mention: Lynn Fisher and Karen Kelly