The Presidential Award recognizes my efforts toward professional improvement. I continue to learn about mathematics and how students learn, by reading, being observant, asking questions, reflecting, and trying out new ideas. This award tells me that I am on the right journey, making positive changes as an educator and a leader. I appreciate and recognize my family and the educators and staff who have constantly inspired and supported me.

Lara White Lyndonville, VT | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

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

Lara White has been an educator since 2002. For the past two years, she has worked at the Lyndon Institute where she is teaching sections of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Precalculus. Previously, Lara served as an eighth grade mathematics teacher at Lyndon Town School for five years, Secondary Mathematics Specialist for the Vermont Agency of Education on the Proficiency-based Learning Team for two years, 8th-12th grade mathematics and science teacher at Danville School for 10 years, and eighth grade science at Lyndon Town School for two years. Lara has focused her teaching on using inquiry learning, letting students discover and explain patterns to build conceptual understanding. She works toward a classroom rich in problem solving and discussion, where students learn to see mathematics as a tool to understand the world. She has taken extra time to establish statistics and graphic literacy as two of the most important tools that help us act as informed citizens. Lara serves on the Board of Directors for the Vermont Council of Teachers of Mathematics, including four years as a co-president from 2017 to 2021. She began her mathematics leadership roles by facilitating workshops for the Vermont Mathematics Professional Learning Team. She has presented on formative assessment and proficiency-based assessment at statewide, regional, and national conferences. Recently, she mentored beginning mathematics and science educators. She has a B.A., cum laude, in biology and environmental studies from Hamline University and an M.A. in education from the University of St. Catherine. She is certified to teach secondary and middle grades mathematics and science in grades 5-12.

Know a great teacher like Lara White? Nominate them for PAEMST!