For Immediate Release:   May 16, 2008

                            

Cross Honored as Florida's National Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

 

VIERA—Merritt Island High School mathematics teacher Nancy Cross has been honored as Florida's National Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Cross is the only Florida teacher to be so honored in 2007.

Ninety-nine educators received the annual Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for 2007. The teachers were recognized in an awards ceremony as the nation's best seventh through twelfth grade teachers.

“Ms. Cross has brought honor not only to herself and to her school, but to her district and to her profession,” said Superintendent Dr. Richard A. DiPatri. “I commend and congratulate her on an outstanding accomplishment.”

Awardees are selected from mathematics and science teachers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with the competition alternating each year between kindergarten through sixth grade teachers and seventh through twelfth grade teachers. After an initial selection process at the state level, a national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators recommend teachers to receive the Presidential Awards. The awards are administered by the National Science Foundation. Each award recipient receives a $10,000 educational grant to be used at his or her discretion over a three-year period, and an all expense paid trip for two to Washington D.C. to accept the certificate.

Since 1998, Cross has been teaching mathematics at Merritt Island High School. She teaches analytical geometry and liberal arts math. She previously taught for 20 years at the middle and high school levels and at the Kennedy Space Center Information Center.

Cross’ professional activities are numerous. She served as mathematics department chair for four years and as co-author of Brevard County Mathematics Teacher Notes for seven years. She is a member of county, state, and national associations of teachers of mathematics. She has facilitated at local and state level conferences in math and technology, including the Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC).

Cross is considered among the very best teachers of mathematics. She is cited as being instrumental in providing leadership and training to department members and considered a key factor in the school’s huge improvement on the Performance Task sections of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Cross is acknowledged by colleagues and district staff for her outstanding use of new technology. She developed and now maintains one of the best Web sites at the school: (http://merritt.hs.brevard.k12.fl.us/teachers/crossn/index.htm).The site proclaims “Math Rocks,” offers podcasts, and recognizes top students. A National Board Certified Teacher, she has certifications in elementary education, middle grades endorsements, and mathematics grades six through twelve.

The award was established in 1983 by the Education for Economic Security Act and is given annually to math and science teachers across the United States who make outstanding contributions to their students and schools. Counting Cross, Brevard has had four mathematics national winners.

 

 

-BPS-