Courtney Quigley

Each year the President of the U.S. recognizes outstanding K-12 science and math teachers throughout the country. One math and one science educator is chosen from each state who exemplifies deep content knowledge combined with the ability to motivate students in science and math.

Quick Images is an activity Courtney Quigley does to teach mathematics. “I flash an arrangement of 6 to 12 dots on the board and then students determine how many were shown. They do not have time to count the dots, so they have to look for groups, which leads to solid number sense, a flexibility in composing and decomposing numbers, and acquisition of number facts,” she explained. Quigley acts as a guide in her classroom, presenting situations that lead her students to discover truths about mathematics.

One of the many joys of teaching first grade is that my students have an intrinsic curiosity and love of learning. In fact, they have not yet learned that many people view mathematics as a difficult subject, so I see it as my job to make sure they keep and build on their enthusiasm for and interest in learning.