Spencerport teacher named one of nation's tops educators

President George W. Bush awarded mathematics teacher Lee Cervini, from Terry A. Taylor Elementary School in Spencerport, with the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor for teaching in these fields. Cervini is the only mathematics winner from New York and one of 95 elementary and middle school teachers nationwide to receive the prestigious award.

In a citation given to Cervini, Bush commended her "for embodying excellence in teaching, for devotion to the learning needs of the students, and for upholding the high standards that exemplify American education at its finest." Cervini receives a $10,000 gift from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the independent federal agency that administers the awards program and an all expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for last week's celebratory events and professional development activities.

"This award recognizes the contributions that teachers make to America's legacy of progress by encouraging young people to study and understand math and science," Bush wrote in a letter. "With a strong foundation in these critical subjects, today's students will be able to better compete and succeed in the 21st century workforce."

Cervini believes in creating an even mix of structure and independence in her classroom. "I see my role as a facilitator to my students. It's my job to provide my students with the tools to create their own successes, make their own choices, and to be independent thinkers."

To incorporate real-world situations into her math lessons, Cervini conducts a year-long finance-based project. "I give the kids fake money for doing different things in the classroom; for good grades, creative ideas, attendance and so forth. Every Friday, they put their money into piles and count how much they've made that week and add it to the previous week's amount. They must record savings and determine how many items they can buy and what will be left over. They learn how the number system works."

Cervini creates an environment that makes her students feel comfortable taking risks in her classroom. "There is never a right or wrong answer until they can support what they've done, and show me the method," she said. "When I can get my students to realize what their mistakes are, and give them the opportunity to change their thinking, they will take risks and become more confident."

The week-long celebration in Washington includes an awards ceremony, professional learning opportunities, conversations with leaders in education policy and opportunities to meet dignitaries from the executive and legislative branches.

As a Presidential Awardee, Cervini receives numerous gifts from corporate and government donors, including science and mathematics curricula from the JASON Foundation for Education, an overhead projector from 3M and a professional development opportunity sponsored by EF Educational Tours, the nation's leader in educational tours and intercultural exchange. Later this year, all the Presidential Awardees will travel to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to participate in the Disney Youth Education Series programs, where the teachers will go behind the scenes of the theme parks to examine and explore science, leadership, history and art.

For information, visit www.paemst.org.