Being honored with the Presidential Award is exhilarating and motivating. This award serves as a validation of the learning and problem solving that I do in the classroom each day and is a testament to the administrators, colleagues, community members, family members, and students that have taught, supported, encouraged, and challenged me along the way. Receiving this honor challenges me to continue to increase student understanding and confidence while expanding my leadership role.

Allysen Lovstuen Decorah, IA | 7-12, Mathematics, 2013

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

Allysen Lovstuen has been teaching mathematics at Decorah High School for the past 14 years. She currently teaches Algebra 1 to freshmen and sophomores and Advanced Placement Calculus AB to juniors and seniors, which includes co-teaching a joint AP Calculus AB/Physics course. Allysen works to increase student thought and mathematical discourse in her classroom and shares her enthusiasm for mathematics by engaging students in activities, encouraging discussion, and appreciating diversity of thought. Students in her classes work together to solve problems, prove mathematical patterns, and build understanding of the content, while having the chance to individually practice needed skills. Allysen has presented at a variety of conferences regarding mathematical pedagogy and technology. She has worked with undergraduate education students as a cooperating teacher for classroom experiences and by facilitating sessions on classroom technology. Allysen initiated FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge participation in her district and has been a member of the Iowa Outstanding Educators Advisory Council, Iowa Council of Teachers of Mathematics, district leadership team, and building leadership team. Allysen has a B.A., magna cum laude, in mathematics and a M.A. in mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa. She is certified in 5-12 mathematics and pre-K-12 talented and gifted.

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