The Presidential Award recognizes the efforts of the nation’s best mathematics and science teachers, those that go above and beyond to create spaces where all students are valued and that provide experiences to encourage students to embrace hurdles within the learning process. To be part of this prestigious group is both validating and humbling. I am honored to serve as an educator and this recognition of my personal efforts and sacrifices for my students is motivating and appreciated.

Rebecca VanSant O'Fallon, MO | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

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

Rebecca “Becky” VanSant spends her days exploring mathematics with sixth grade students at Fort Zumwalt West Middle School. She has been in this position for more than 16 years and prior to that, she spent 14 years as an elementary classroom teacher for grades three through five at Horace Mann and Forest Park Elementary Schools. Becky has participated in district curriculum work throughout her tenure as a teacher in Clinton Community Schools and Fort Zumwalt Schools. The curriculum work focuses on aligning district curriculum with the standards, choosing curriculum materials, developing authentic assessments, and supporting colleagues in implementing instructional strategies to meet the needs of students. Becky is always seeking ways to improve her practice with the goal of empowering all students to think flexibly and be confident mathematicians. To achieve this goal, Becky uses a problem-based, student-centered approach to teaching. Becky has been a leader in implementing a grading system that accurately and fairly reflects each students’ learning journey and supports the goal of students making sense of mathematics. Becky has presented at local, state, and national conferences to share her experiences using problem-based instruction methods and implementation of changes to grading systems. These grading practices focus on implementing standards-based grading and methods to support grading for learning. Becky earned a B.A. in elementary education and mathematics education and an M.A. in mathematics for middle grades from the University of Northern Iowa. She has an M.A. from Saint Xavier in teaching and leadership and has completed all coursework, except her dissertation, for an Ed.D. in teaching and learning practices from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

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