Observing how impactful teaching ALL students to create computer models of dynamic, complex systems changed me as a teacher. I believe we are underestimating the power of mathematical analysis of our high school students by using only equations for mathematizing our world. Winning the Presidential Award gave me the confidence to develop a leadership role in this approach to teaching. I have dedicated the rest of my life to trying to include systems modeling in mathematics instruction.

Diana Fisher Portland, OR | 7-12, Mathematics, 1995

Diana M. Fisher, a retired high school mathematics, computer programming, and System Dynamics (SD) modeling teacher, taught these courses in the second half of her teaching career at Franklin High School (10 years) and Wilson High School (10 years) in Portland, Oregon. For 20 years, Diana taught her high school algebra, pre-calculus, and calculus students to create computer simulation models of complex dynamic systems and taught a yearlong high school System Dynamics modeling course. This work was recognized by NSF when it awarded her the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 1995 (when teaching at Franklin High School in Portland); by Intel when awarded 1st place co-winner of Intel Innovation in Teaching in 1996; and by the System Dynamics Society when awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. In the SD modeling courses, students researched a system problem, created an original model, and wrote a technical paper all in the last 10 weeks of the course. See samples of student work on her website: ccmodelingsystems.com After retiring from high school teaching, Diana continues to present at conferences globally and nationally on the importance of teaching high school students how to create computer models to study complex systems. She co-authored three computer programming books in the 1980s and authored two System Dynamics modeling books (3rd editions in 2017). She wrote and directed two NSF grants to train high school mathematics, science, and social studies teachers to create SD models and lessons for their classes (CC-STADUS and CC-SUSTAIN). Diana earned a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Texas, El Paso, an M.A.T. from the University of Montana, and a Ph.D. in system science from Portland State University.

Know a great teacher like Diana Fisher? Nominate them for PAEMST!