Winning the Presidential Award is a tremendous honor and affirms that what I am doing in my classroom has meaning. My teaching philosophy has always been to make students feel comfortable, safe, and ready to learn. Anxiety around mathematics and middle school is challenging enough. Why shouldn't my classroom be where students feel excited and engaged in mathematics? I’m proud to share my love of learning and teaching mathematics with my colleagues and future generations of enthusiastic students.

Joan Shane Silver Spring, MD | 7-12, Mathematics, 2023

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

Joan Shane is currently the Mathematics Content Specialist (CS) at Sligo Middle School and has taught mathematics there for the past 12 years. She spent the previous 11 years teaching fifth grade at Oakland Terrace Elementary School with a focus on mathematics. As the CS, she is responsible for the professional development of all mathematics department teachers, and is constantly amazed at the tremendous impact that her team has on their students. Her CS responsibilities also include observing and analyzing teacher performance to ensure that all teachers in her department are providing students with the best learning experience possible. She also teaches both advanced and grade level mathematics classes. In the classroom, Joan is dedicated to making sure that each student feels seen, heard, and understood. She strives to make a personal connection with each student by learning their individual “math stories,” experiences, expectations, and concerns. Joan firmly believes that students' needs must come first, and she attempts to live up to this philosophy every day. Joan has mentored dozens of teachers during her tenure and is a supervising teacher with Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers at Montgomery College. She proudly challenges her student interns to become enthusiastic and excited middle school mathematics teachers. She has also made numerous presentations to teachers and leadership both within her school and at the district level. Joan holds a B.A. in history from Indiana University, Bloomington, and an M.A.T from Johns Hopkins University. She holds an Advanced Professional Certificate in elementary and middle school education. Joan was named an Extraordinary Educator in Bethesda Magazine in September of 2022.

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