David Dai Mobile, AL | 7-12, Mathematics, 2023

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

David Dai has taught mathematics for the past three years at Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies. He spent the previous three years of his seven-year teaching career at Alma Bryant High School and spent his first year of teaching at Hillcrest High School. David currently teaches students enrolled in Math 8 Accelerated and Geometry with Data Analysis. His strategies focus on engaging students in conversations so they can actively construct their understanding of concepts and develop their procedural fluency. He uses high-level tasks and project-based learning (PBL) instruction so students can investigate meaningful problems and develop their solutions to these problems. David’s work led to his selection as the 2019 Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics High School Teacher of the Year (TOY); the 2020-2021 Alabama Secondary TOY; and the 2021 Southern Alabama Air Force Association STEM TOY. He serves on the board of directors for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics where he helps steer the organization’s policies and procedures for mathematics education. David has presented sessions at local, state, and national levels on PBL, mathematical technologies, and artificial intelligence. David earned a B.S. in mathematics with a concentration in statistics and an M.A. in secondary mathematics education from The University of Alabama. He is National Board Certified in Early Adolescence-Mathematics and is currently completing his educational specialist degree as part of the state’s first cohort of mathematics specialists.

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