It has always been my goal to help all students have opportunities to be successful mathematicians and to learn to love mathematics as I do. The Presidential Award is an incredible honor. It recognizes the challenging yet rewarding work I do alongside my talented colleagues, with the support of district leadership. This award reinvigorates my desire for ongoing professional growth and teacher leader opportunities. I am thankful for the support and encouragement of my family in this profession.

Carol McKay Olympia, WA | 7-12, Mathematics, 2019

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

Carol McKay has spent her 14-year teaching career at Capital High School. She has taught all levels of mathematics and currently teaches 9th-12th grade Algebra 2 and Precalculus. She previously was an affiliate instructor with Central Washington University, teaching college-level courses in her high school Precalculus class. Carol is known to engage her students in their learning by making connections to their interests and activities. In a favorite project, students combine functions to create a picture that has personal meaning. Carol uses strategies that allow students to communicate about their learning and to constructively critique others’ ideas. Carol feels strongly about helping other teachers deepen their knowledge of essential pedagogical practices. She led professional development workshops in her district on selected books, including: Five Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discourse and Making Number Talks Matter. Carol served on the Washington mathematics committee to develop an alternative third-year high school mathematics course called “Modeling Our World with Math.” She is part of the Washington steering committee for the ”launch years initiative,” which will set a vision for high-quality mathematics pathways to prepare high school students for post-secondary success. Carol earned a B.S. in paper science and engineering from the University of Washington and a M.S. in wood and paper science from North Carolina State University. She earned her teaching certification from Pacific Lutheran University through an alternate routes program with endorsements in mathematics and chemistry. Carol is a National Board Certified Teacher in mathematics. She was the Regional Teacher of the Year in 2017 for Educational Service District 113.

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