I am honored to receive the Presidential Award for teaching mathematics. This award recognizes my efforts to nurture curiosity in young learners, empowering them to confidently pursue knowledge and understanding. It also embodies the collaborative efforts of my family, my colleagues, and my mentors who have all contributed to my effectiveness as a teacher. To have achieved such a prestigious level of recognition is reaffirming and inspires me to expand the scope of my impact on student learning.

Heather Dorr Steuben, ME | K-6, Mathematics, 2018

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

Heather Dorr has taught mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science to students in fourth through eighth grades over the past 19 years. For the past three years she has taught at the Ella Lewis School. Prior to that, she taught at Trenton Elementary School for 13 years and Dixon Elementary School in Sneads Ferry, NC for three years. Heather strives to meet students where they are and lift their learning to strengthen and deepen their understanding of mathematics concepts and skills. Her students engage in meaningful dialogue by explaining their reasoning, challenging ideas, and making connections between previous understandings and new concepts. To broaden the scope of her impact on student learning, Heather mentors beginning teachers and student teachers, eagerly supports and coaches her colleagues, and advocates for students and teachers, all while serving on focus groups and curriculum committees at the district level. Heather has earned a B.S. in elementary education and her M.Ed. in educational leadership for curriculum, both from the University of Maine. She is a certified teacher of kindergarten through eighth grade and is certified as a building administrator in the state of Maine.

Know a great teacher like Heather Dorr?