The Presidential Award acknowledges the passion and dedication teachers have for helping their students receive the best education possible. It is an honor to earn this recognition, which reflects the support and encouragement of colleagues that have helped me continue to grow and improve the educational experience for all students.

Katie Haas Edgar, WI | 7-12, Mathematics, 2019

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

Katie Haas has taught at Edgar Middle School for the past eight years. She currently teaches mathematics to sixth and seventh grade students. During Katie’s teaching career, she has been instrumental in improving mathematics instruction in her district. She initiated the adoption of a new curriculum focusing on a deeper conceptual understanding of mathematics. Katie facilitated monthly K–12 professional development focused on the implementation of the Standards for Mathematical Practices for students and best teaching practices. To meet the needs of all learners, she launched the mathematics intervention services and initiated co-teaching with special education staff in the district. In her classroom, Katie fosters an active learning environment. She utilizes specifically designed tasks and activities to guide students to develop a deeper conceptual understanding of mathematics. While working, students grapple with problems, discuss answers with peers, and receive feedback from Katie. She uses strategic questions to keep students engaged and actively problem solving while nudging them towards mastering the concept. Beyond the classroom, Katie has mentored new teachers and served as a leader on the school improvement and positive behavior intervention system teams. She was selected as a panelist for the teacher speakout event hosted by the Wisconsin Center for Education Research to discuss the challenges and successes of teaching STEM in rural districts . Katie earned a B.S., summa cum laude, in mathematics and agricultural education from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls and a M.S.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. She is a National Board Certified Teacher of early adolescence in mathematics.

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