This prestigious honor affirms my work to encourage my students to persevere and foster an eagerness to explore and develop purposeful mathematical connections. The Presidential Award is a testament to my students' hard work and curiosity, in addition to my ability to fuel their motivation. This award reminds me to remain curious as an educator and to never stop learning. This award would not be possible without the faith and trust of many coaches, administrators, parents, and students.

Montana Lowe Lee West Palm Beach, FL | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

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

Montana Lee has been teaching mathematics for eight years. She is currently a mathematics resource teacher for the School District of Palm Beach. Previously, she taught at Everglades Elementary and Piney Grove Elementary. She has primarily worked with students with learning disabilities and English Language Learners in an inclusive environment. Montana is involved in many facets of her school and works hard to put her relationship with her students first. She has served as her school's Student Council representative, coached Girls on the Run, runs a girls' empowerment lunch book club, and coaches cheerleading. Montana believes that mathematics is a form of art that is open to interpretation with a hint of finality. She strives to pass this love of mathematics along to her students by presenting them with opportunities to explore their ideas and build connections. She runs a problem-based learning classroom where students have the opportunity to productively struggle and succeed. Montana has presented various sessions on utilizing technology in the mathematics classroom and implementing a mastery-based learning system at school-wide, local, and district conferences. She has worked as a liaison between teachers and legislation at the state level with a focus on a birth to third grade mathematics continuum. She has partnered with PuraVida Missions to support access to education for all children living below the poverty line. Montana has a B.S. in family child sciences, with a certificate in developmental disabilities and a concentration in nursing from Florida State University. She continued her post-graduate education with a teaching certificate through The University of Phoenix and is currently pursuing her M.A. in teaching mathematics from Mount Holyoke College.

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