It is a tremendous honor and humbling experience to be named a Presidential Award Teacher. This award is an affirmation of all my hard work and dedication to teaching 8th grade mathematics. I have strived every year of my teaching experience to be a better teacher to the next class of students, and this award is a catalyst to continue and improve my teaching methods. My passion and love for teaching math will only continue with this acknowledgement.

Jennifer Crase Crestwood, KY | 7-12, Mathematics, 2009

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

Jenn Crase has been an educator for more than 13 years and has taught eighth grade mathematics at South Oldham Middle School since 2004. She has also taught at Neal Middle School and Rogers-Herr Year Round Middle School in Durham, NC. Jenn's passion over the past 5 years has been standards-based grading. She has revamped the way she analyzes student work and designs units of study, and she reshaped student self-assessments. Her techniques have been used districtwide, and she has worked at the state level to develop a standards-based report card for all Kentucky middle schools. Jenn has a tremendous impact on education. She serves as a team leader, mentor, presenter, and mathematics lead teacher for her school. In addition, she lends her knowledge and instructional expertise to districtwide curriculum efforts. She is considered a strong leader and a go-to person for her colleagues. In her classroom, she encourages collaboration and sets high goals for all students. Jenn has a B.E. in Elementary Education from the University of Toledo and an M.E. in Middle Grades Mathematics Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is National Board Certified in early adolescent mathematics.

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