White House honors EMU alumna Cindy Hasselbring as one of the nation's top educators

Cindy Hasselbring, a math teacher at Milan High School and an Eastern Michigan University alumnus, has won the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor for teaching in this field.

She was awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which administers the program on behalf of the White House, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where she was honored May 4.

TOP EDUCATOR: Cindy Hasselbring, a math teacher at Milan High School and an EMU alumnus, recently won the 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Hasselbring, who earned a master's degree in curriculum from EMU in 2001, has taught Milan students in grades 9-12 since 1995.

"It's quite an honor. I was one of only 100 teachers in math and science nationwide to receive this prestigious award," said Hasselbring, who was nominated by her principal, Ronald Reed.

Hasselbring, 32, was recognized for her innovative use of technology to teach math, such as incorporating interactive white boards with pixels to allow her students to make up classes they missed. She also uses a remote system she calls the clicker game, which allows students to click a response during class.

To apply, she had to submit an hour-long videotape of her teaching, which showed how she interacted with the class during an activity, and had to write a 10-page paper that reflected on her teaching.

"Excellent teachers help students learn challenging mathematics and science content every day and the Presidential Awards give us, as a nation, a way to show how much we value and appreciate their contributions," said Celeste Pea, program director of elementary, secondary and information education programs at the NSF.

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