Thomas Wright, Jr. New Orleans, LA | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

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

Thomas Wright started teaching mathematics at Edward Hynes Charter School in 2009. He spent three of his 16 years teaching as a full-time assistant professor at the University of New Orleans (UNO), after teaching adjunct there for nine years. Upon reflection, he “missed the Hynes community” and returned to his previous middle school classroom at the Lakeview Campus. As an eighth grade Algebra I teacher, Thomas says that there is no greater moment than when students say that their class reversed their previous thinking that they were not “a math person.” Equally as rewarding is when adults tell him that a highlight of their student’s day was the engagement in his class. Each year, Thomas invites local STEM professionals to his class to help nurture the growth of future generations' curiosity. He has presented mathematics education research and pedagogical training at conferences in New Orleans, on two islands in Hawaii, and in Athens, Greece. His writing in mathematics education has been featured in a publication by Routledge. Thomas has been awarded nearly half a million dollars from state and local grants. Thomas has a B.A. in music (organ performance) and a B.S. in computer information systems, both from Louisiana Tech University. He also has an M.B.A. from the University of New Orleans, a Ph.D. in mathematics curriculum and instruction from the University of New Orleans, and an M.A. in education administration and leadership from Xavier University of Louisiana. He is certified in secondary school mathematics, middle school mathematics, computer literacy, has an Algebra I endorsement, and is certified as an elementary mathematics specialist, a teacher leader, and in school administration.

• High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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