As a teacher in a small district, it is easy to feel like I am on an island. Applying for the Presidential Award helped me realize that I have many people in my district that support and appreciate me. As a Presidential Awardee, I truly feel like I am making a difference. Knowing that there are teachers all over the country doing amazing things and getting recognized in their districts, states, and nationwide makes me feel honored to part of something bigger than just my little classroom.

Allison Schmitz Mellette, SD | 7-12, Mathematics, 2023

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

Allison Schmitz, a mathematics teacher from Northwestern Area School District, has been teaching both middle and high school for nine years. Currently, she teaches 6th Grade Mathematics through Algebra 2. Allison started a STEM career and technical education program at Northwestern and teaches Robotics, Introduction to Engineering, and Computer Programming in addition to her mathematics courses. Prior to her career at Northwestern, she spent two years as a substitute teacher and two years teaching remedial mathematics courses and supervising mathematics laboratories at Northern State University. Allison works to build engagement in her classes by incorporating real-world projects into her mathematics courses, using cross-curricular activities, and utilizing group activities inside and outside the classroom walls. One of the students’ favorite activities is analyzing a crime scene using trigonometry. She has participated in the South Dakota Mathematics and Science Leadership Program and has presented sessions at the SD STEM Education Conference. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is the middle school liaison for the South Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Allison graduated from Northern State University in 2013 with a B.S.Ed., in honoribus summa cum laude, in mathematics and earned her M.Ed., summa cum laude, in curriculum and instruction and classroom technology from Concordia University in 2014. She is certified in secondary mathematics with endorsements in middle level mathematics, K-12 classroom technology and distance educator, STEM career cluster, and has her specialist certificate for technology integrationist and technology coordinator.

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