Alumna receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Christy Sutton (MEd '12), a second grade mathematics teacher at Lee County Primary School in Leesburg, Georgia, and an alumna of the College of Education, was one of only two elementary teachers in Georgia to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government for K-12 mathematics and science teaching.

The award recognizes teachers who develop and implement high-quality instructional programs that enhance student learning and are informed by content knowledge. Since the program's inception, more than 4,700 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

"The Presidential Award is both humbling and motivating," said Sutton, who received her master's degree in mathematics education from the College of Education. "Humbling because I know many teachers deserving of this award. Motivating because receiving this award means my work is not finished."

For the past four years, Christy has worked on various projects for Georgia's Department of Education. She also helped rewrite the Georgia Frameworks, revise the Georgia Standards of Excellence, and participated in creating webinars. Most recently, she helped create videos for second grade teachers titled "GSE Mathematics Standards in the Classroom."