To me the Presidential Award means that I have achieved a high standard in my teaching practice and indicates that I have something to contribute to my important profession. It also means that I am blessed by having effective partnerships with inspiring students, their supportive parents, administrators who allow risk-taking, superb professional development and support from the New Mexico professional learning community, as well as love and support of my husband and sons.

Dana Dawson Edgewood, NM | 7-12, Mathematics, 2009

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Dana Dawson has been educating students for 18 years; it’s her passion, not just a vocation. She has worked in the Moriarty-Edgewood School District for the last 14 years, teaching seventh and eighth grade mathematics at Edgewood Middle School for 2 years and at Moriarty Middle School for 6 years. She has also taught Trigonometry at Moriarty High School and Technology at Edgewood Elementary School. She currently serves as the district's Mathematics Intervention Specialist for grades six through eight. One of Dana's many contributions is the development of a standards-based learning environment where all students can be successful as valued and engaged participants. Lessons, which focus on state content and process standards, are meaningful and productive; formative assessment is ongoing; and summative assessment is standards based. Dana has presented workshops state-wide on implementing a standards-based assessment process, building a standards-based learning environment, and using formative assessment to improve student achievement. Dana has a B.S. in Secondary Education from New Mexico State University, a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of New Mexico, and an M.S. in Mathematics and Science Teaching from New Mexico Tech. She is certified in elementary education, secondary mathematics, and family sciences.

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