The Presidential Award is a tremendous honor. Helping my students find beauty and power in mathematics and uncover the potential within themselves is a humbling, yet very worthwhile challenge. I am indebted to those more experienced teachers who took me under their wings and encouraged me to aim high. This prestigious award is external validation of what many of us find so intrinsically rewarding.

William O'Brien Rockport, ME | 7-12, Mathematics, 2013

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

William O’Brien has taught mathematics for the past 20 years, the first 13 of which were spent at international schools in Switzerland, Taiwan, and Australia. He returned to Maine in 2007 and is teaching at his alma mater, Camden Hills Regional High School. He has taught a variety of ages and levels, from seventh grade through Advanced Placement Calculus and International Baccalaureate Mathematics. He currently teaches ninth through 12th graders in Credit Recovery, Algebra, and Calculus. He chooses to teach a cross section of ages and abilities each year. Examining for the International Baccalaureate since 2001, he most recently served as deputy chief examiner, sharing responsibility for writing exam papers, leading marking, and setting score boundaries. He has been called the “pied piper of mathematics” for his ability to encourage large numbers of students to extend themselves mathematically. Whether shepherding 45 eager “mathletes” on the math team, or convincing an art student to take AP Calculus, he makes mathematics accessible, yet challenging. After school, his classroom is often filled with students working and discussing math -- even on a Friday afternoon! William has a B.A., magna cum laude, in mathematics and political science from Williams College. He is a National Board Certified Teacher.

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