To have even been considered to be a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is a great honor for me. This award represents recognition of the dedication and commitment that I have always felt towards bringing mathematics into the lives of children in a meaningful and enduring way. Furthermore, this award will mean so much to the learning community in which I serve because it also validates the hard work and academic achievements of my students.

Natalie Schneider Indianapolis, IN | 7-12, Mathematics, 2011

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

Natalie Schneider has been an educator for 14 years and has spent the last 11 years teaching seventh and eighth grade mathematics at Belzer Middle School in the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township. She has also taught in Ohio in the Dayton Public School District. In 2010, Natalie developed and implemented a mathematics program for students who had failed the Indiana statewide assessment. Designed to support the needs of struggling learners, this program resulted in 60 percent of Natalie's students passing the statewide assessment, with all showing significant growth after just 1 year of the program's implementation. Because of its success, the program was expanded in the 2011 - 2012 school year. Natalie has acted as the instructional and curriculum leader for this unique mathematics class from its inception.  Natalie served as a facilitator for the Instructional Consultation Team at her school. In this role, she collaborated with staff members to enhance the performance of both teachers and students. Natalie has a B.S., magna cum laude, in education from Wright State University and an M.Ed. from Indiana Wesleyan University, where she also completed a Principal Licensure Program. She is certified in first through eighth grade elementary education and first through ninth grade mathematics.

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