Samantha Wester

Fort Benning, DD | DoDEA | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

I'm motivated by the opportunity to make a real difference in how students perceive and engage with mathematics. Over the years, I've seen firsthand how a positive, supportive learning environment can unlock a student's potential, especially in a subject many find intimidating or irrelevant. I'm passionate about breaking down those barriers and showing my students that math is not just about numbers and formulas- it's about problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

As a Presidential Awardee, I see this as a unique opportunity to help elevate STEM education in a way that strengthens our nation’s future. My goal is to inspire a more hands-on, problem-solving approach to learning, where students not only gain knowledge but also develop the skills necessary to apply that knowledge creatively in real-world situations.

Biography

Samantha Wester is an accomplished educator with 18 years of experience in teaching, currently serving as the Mathematics Instructional Support Teacher at McBride Elementary School, a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school. Over the past 12 years at McBride, Samantha has worked with students from kindergarten through fifth grade, focusing on enhancing math instruction. Prior to her current role, she taught fourth and fifth grades at McBride Elementary, Millennia Elementary and Garner Elementary. Throughout her career, Samantha has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to educational improvement. She has served in a variety of roles, including Continuous School Improvement Team Member, School Test Coordinator, and Mathematics Teacher Leader. Additionally, she has held the positions of Focused Collaboration Chairperson, Scheduling and Calendar Committee Chair, and member of the Opening/Safety Committee. Samantha has also been actively involved in teacher training, serving as a teacher trainer for Project-Based Learning, a Mathematics Department Teacher Leader, and a Thinking Maps Teacher Trainer. She has mentored new teachers and led grade-level teams as a grade chair and mentor teacher. As the sponsor of the Math Competition Club at McBride Elementary for several years, she coached groups of fourth and fifth grade students to challenge themselves and compete in mathematics competitions. Under her leadership, her team earned third place in an all-girls mathematics competition in 2019, highlighting her dedication to fostering a love of math beyond the classroom. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Elementary Education from Ball State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

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