Being a recipient of the Presidential Award reflects my passion for teaching elementary mathematics. Throughout my career, exceptional mathematicians have impacted me: students, colleagues, and mentors. Therefore, this award does not just reflect what I do as an educator, but the collaborative work that has shaped and supported me throughout my career. I’m very humbled to be singled out for this prestigious award.

Kerry Morton Bend, OR | K-6, Mathematics, 2012

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

Kerry Morton has been an educator for 17 years and has spent the last 8 years as a teacher and instructional coach at Pine Ridge Elementary School in the Bend-LaPine School District. Previously, she taught at LaPine Elementary. Prior to teaching in the Bend-LaPine School District, she taught at Fraser Valley Elementary in Fraser, CO, and The Children’s School in Bellevue and Kirkland, WA. As a teacher of mathematics, Kerry promotes a growth mindset in which students persevere and look for patterns and structure in mathematics. Her lessons consistently involve high levels of cognitive demand and are meaningful and productive for students. Students are expected to make sense, explain, justify, and generalize mathematical ideas. Kerry’s leadership role in her school and district has had an impact on mathematics education for all elementary students. As an instructional coach at her school, Kerry provides side-by-side coaching for all K through fifth grade teachers, in addition to teaching half time in the classroom. She  provides regular mathematics professional development in and outside of her district. Kerry has been nominated by a district committee to be Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014. Kerry has a B.S. in elementary education from the University of North Dakota, an M.S. in education from Eastern Oregon University, and a mathematics endorsement from Oregon State University.

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