Throughout my career, I continue to find great joy and satisfaction in helping students learn to think and reason in mathematical situations. It is not good enough to give kids how to, if we don't also teach them when to or why to, thus my commitment to problem-centered teaching and helping kids make sense of mathematics. My mentor, Paula, encouraged me to be a more reflective practioner. I will share that passion for continual learning with future math teachers with whom I work.

Shawn Towle Falmouth, ME | 7-12, Mathematics, 2009

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

Shawn Towle has taught mathematics at Falmouth Middle School for the past 14 years. He spent the previous 5 years teaching mathematics and science at St. Joseph’s Parish School in Portland, ME. Shawn sets high learning standards for his students and is committed to learning from his experiences with students and colleagues every day in order to apply this knowledge to his teaching practices. Shawn’s work with the Connected Mathematics Project as a teacher leader has given him the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues around the country and in his own school in thinking carefully about mathematics education in a problem-solving curriculum and how to most effectively help students learn and use mathematics. Shawn is a recipient of the Edyth Sliffe Award, as well as the Jackie Mitchell Award for his contributions to mathematics education in Maine. He is the president-elect for the Association of Mathematics Teachers in Maine. Shawn has a B.S. in Biology from Boston College and is currently enrolled in the Leaders for Tomorrow’s Schools program at the University of Southern Maine. He is certified in early adolescent mathematics by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and he has Maine certification in mathematics and science for grades five through eight.

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