Teacher up for national award
Published: December 21, 2005
Patricia Avery was shocked when she opened the letter declaring she had been named a finalist for the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
Why? Because she forgot she had even applied.
Avery, who teaches math at Rock Bridge High School, told few people about her nomination and subsequent application early last summer.
“I’m more comfortable as a work horse than a show horse,” she said.
Avery is one of three Missouri finalists for the award. One will be named in the spring to represent Missouri.
The award is the highest recognition available for math and science teachers, according to its Web site. To be considered, teachers first must be nominated. Then they must submit a videotape of a classroom lesson and respond to questions about their teaching. Avery’s video showed students leading a classroom discussion while she sat to the side, interjecting only when necessary.
“I wasn’t really in the video. It wasn’t about me,” Avery said.
Columbia teachers historically have done well; three have won the prize, which comes with a $10,000 check from the National Science Foundation and a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C.
Avery said her finalist status stems from the climate created by her school and colleagues.
Avery has been teaching for 31 years. She began with a 19-year stint at Oakland Junior High in northeast Columbia. She has since been at Rock Bridge. This is the first year she has spent as a mentor for first-year teachers who are receiving bachelor’s degrees through the MU Education Department.
“It gave me a look through a different lens,” Avery said of the program. “I get to help and coach teachers. I’m in many different classrooms with many kids.”
Betsy Launder, 23, was Avery’s student teacher last year and is now one of the first-year teachers for whom Avery is a mentor. She wasn’t surprised to learn Avery was a finalist for the presidential award.
“She is amazing and inspiring and a shoulder to lean on in the first year of teaching,” Launder said.
For Avery, teaching high school students is enough of an award.
“The group I work with never ages,” Avery said. “It’s better than any award, just watching what they do.”
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