Hazelwood West High School math teacher Jennifer Baker was inspired to become a math teacher as a teenager.
“When I was in high school, I had an amazing algebra teacher, Mr. Reed," she said. "He made math fun and applicable to real life.
"I feel he influenced me greatly in my love of math."
Baker said in college, she had a mentor she called an "amazing math professor." Her name was Dr. Katie Pedersen.
"(She) encouraged me to become a lifelong learner and active participant in mathematics organizations," Baker said. "I still try to emulate her teaching methods.”
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program recently recognized Baker for her teaching skills, naming her one of 97 teachers selected as a 2011 Presidential Awardee.
PAEMST is the highest honor the United States government bestows upon K-12 mathematics and science teaching, according to its website.
Awardees receive a certificate President Barack Obama signs, a trip for two to Washington, D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
“I am so amazed and overwhelmed,” Baker said in an HSD press release. “I am so excited that Hazelwood will be represented.
"I am humbled and honored to have received this award amongst such worthy candidates."
Baked also emphasized the strong support Hazelwood School District, teachers, students and parents have been for her throughout her teaching career.
Baker began her career with the Hazelwood School District as a junior high math teacher in 1985. She started teaching high school math eight years later and in the most recent school year, she taught Algebra II.
Versatile, Baker is, as she has experience teaching various levels of math, including college prep. She earned her National Board Certification in 2007 and is the past-president of the Mathematics Educators of Great St. Louis.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Master of Arts degree in instructional technology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and is certified to teach in grades six through 12.
To qualify for the award, each teacher completes an online application that includes a written narrative and a video recording of their class in action that demonstrate teaching excellence.
Applications are reviewed at state and national levels by committees of scientists, mathematicians, education researchers, school and district administrators, and educators. Recommendations are sent to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for final selection. This program authorizes the president to bestow up to 108 awards each year.
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