Receiving the Presidential Award for mathematics is a great honor that signifies the effort that teachers everywhere put into growing as professionals. Teachers are always striving to improve their work and make education the best it can be for our students, and I’m proud to be a part of this professional community. My goal has always been to make mathematics feel accessible to all students. This award gives me hope that I am making a difference and achieving that goal.

Amy Kinnett Lincoln, NE | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

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

Amy Kinnett has been an educator for 17 years and has spent the past year teaching sixth grade at Dawes Middle School. She previously taught third grade for three years at Meadow Lane Elementary, fifth grade for two years at Meadow Lane Elementary, and for four years at Lakeview Elementary. Before teaching fifth grade, she taught kindergarten at Lakeview Elementary for seven years. Amy has been known for sharing her passion for teaching and learning mathematics with staff and students. She has led a variety of afterschool mathematics clubs to help students find enjoyment and success as mathematicians. In her classroom, Amy strives to make real-world connections and offer students engaging activities that promote a positive mathematics community. In recent years, Amy worked with a team of teachers to revise the state mathematics standards. She has also been on instructional teams for graduate coursework focused on mathematics and STEM at the University of Nebraska. Throughout her teaching career, she has regularly facilitated district and building professional development aimed at enhancing the teaching and learning of mathematics. For several years she served as a District Mentor Teacher. She also worked with her district to research, pilot, and implement new mathematics curricula for kindergarten through fifth grade. Amy has a B.A. in elementary education and an M.A. in elementary mathematics, both from the University of Nebraska. She also has a specialist certification in elementary mathematics.

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