To be singled out for this prestigious award among so many talented kindergarten through 6th grade teachers is an honor and is gratifying as a teacher. The outpouring of positive responses from family members, colleagues, students, administrators, and community members has been overwhelming. It has inspired me to further my studies of mathematical instructional and assessment practices.

Mary Black Dubuque, IA | K-6, Mathematics, 2008

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

Mary (Betsy) Black has taught kindergarten through fifth grade mathematics in Dubuque, IA, for the past 34 years. She has been with the Dubuque Community School District (DCSD) since 1985. Before assuming her current position as a first grade teacher at Irving Elementary School, where she has served as a master teacher and lead teacher, she taught at Fulton and Prescott elementary schools. Mrs. Black selected and supported implementation of the Math Trailblazers Program in kindergarten through fifth grade and worked on a subcommittee to create a grade-level assessment for that program. She also provided support for other classroom teachers in revising assessments and pacing. Mrs. Black relishes the challenge of implementing new programs and ideas. Her strong interest in research and educational trends led her to learn about and adopt Cognitive Guided Instruction to integrate arithmetic and algebra in elementary schools. For the past several years, she has been involved in a collaborative project between DCSD and Loras College, "Lesson Study: Teaching and Learning Mathematics: A Problem-Solving Approach." As a result of Mrs. Black using this approach, her students have learned to read while acquiring the mathematics skills needed for future success, something many consider impossible. Heralded as a true collaborator and exemplary teacher, Mrs. Black is described as the teacher that parents always request. Her classroom is described as alive with students solving problems and communicating mathematically. Colleagues praise her intelligence, leadership abilities, strong ethics, and love of children and teaching. Mrs. Black serves as a district presenter for new teachers. She is a representative on the Every Student Counts district team and chairperson of the Irving Math Committee. Mrs. Black has a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in learning disabilities from Clarke College. She is certified in psychology, reading, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders, and as a multi-disability resource room teacher.

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