I was nominated for the Presidential Award while teaching online during the Covid pandemic. The parent that nominated me validated me as a professional during a time in teachers' careers when they faced great adversity and the unknown. The Presidential Award illuminates fantastic individuals that care deeply about children and education. More educators need to experience the joy of being recognized by a student, parent, or peer. It has the power to rejuvenate and uplift during difficult times.

Jason Collins Anchorage, AK | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

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

Jason Collins has been an educator for over 25 years. He spent the last nine years teaching Mathematics 7 through Calculus to grades 7-12 at Steller Secondary School. He previously taught mathematics at Begich Middle School for eight years, North Star Elementary School for eight years, and Tyson Elementary School for half a year. Hands-on activities, relevant-word problems, and learning to communicate are key components in Jason’s mathematics classrooms. He has used model rocketry, Mini-Society, table-top gaming, and miniature golf as engaging avenues to explore the unseen side of mathematics and connect students to it on a personal level. Jason believes all students can learn, as evidenced by his mastery style of teaching and assessing. Jason created a system to provide students with individualized assistance to learn from their mistakes and have multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning. His students share how the extra attention increased their overall understanding. Administrators value Jason’s ability to lead teachers and students. Jason helped rewrite the district’s prealgebra academic plan, coached a FIRST LEGO League robotics team to a state championship, served as a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards liaison to help teachers get certified, presented at the Alaska Educational Innovations Network conference, represented Steller at the Blue Ribbon Schools award ceremony in Washington D.C., and started and coached Steller’s first ever high school competitive sport teams in E-sports. Jason has a B.Ed. in elementary education and an M.Ed. in teaching and learning from the University of Alaska. He earned his National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate in mathematics for early adolescence and is certified as a master teacher.

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