All students deserve a teacher who will continue to reflect, learn, and grow for them. The Presidential Award process granted me the opportunity to do this in a meaningful and positive way, and I could not be more grateful. I became a teacher to make a difference in students’ lives, like the teachers who made a difference in mine. Receiving this award is a testament to all those who inspired me, believed in me, and supported me. I would not be the educator I am today without their guidance.

Cassidy Urie Columbia, MO | K-6, Mathematics, 2020

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

Cassidy Lynn Urie has spent her nine-year teaching career at Jefferson Middle School (JMS): A STEAM Academy. She teaches Advanced Math 6, Math 6, and Design and Manufacturing. She has also taught Math 8 and Algebra 1. Cassidy organized the school’s first “Pi Day Extravaganza,” which included mathematics games, TI-84 robots, electric bikes, and collecting 314 canned food items for the local food bank. Cassidy promotes the advancement of teaching by serving as a mentor to preservice teachers, student teachers, and Asian Affairs Center interns; leading professional development at the district, state, and national levels; and teaching a seminar class for mathematics education student teachers at the University of Missouri (MU) as an adjunct instructor. Cassidy has a passion for global education. In 2014, she was selected to attend the Scranton Young Women’s Leadership Seminar in Seoul, South Korea. In 2015, she was chosen to attend the Korea Academy for Educators in Koreatown in Los Angeles, CA. In 2019, Cassidy was selected as a Global Learning Fellow from the NEA Foundation, which culminated with a place-based learning experience in South Africa. Cassidy is the Mathematics Department Chair at JMS and the District 6th Grade Math Professional Learning Team (PLT) Leader. She serves on the Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation, Missouri National Education Association Board of Directors, and the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics Executive Board. Cassidy earned a B.S. in secondary education and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction as a teaching fellow from MU; an M.Ed. in educational leadership from Columbia College; and is currently pursuing an Ed.S. in mathematics education from MU. She is certified in mathematics 5-12 and in administration 7-12.

Know a great teacher like Cassidy Urie? Nominate them for PAEMST!