Winning the Presidential Award for mathematics is a great honor. It shows my students that all things can be accomplished, and we can truly be rewarded for something special. Mathematics is not always a simple subject for children; with this award I am able to show them the benefit of hard work and diligence by being recognized by the President of the United States. Winning this award encourages me to continue using best practices in mathematics, thus promoting excellence in education.
Erika Meadows has been an educator for 10 years and has spent the last 9 years teaching at Hohenfels Elementary School, a Department of Defense Education Activity school. During this time, she has taught kindergarten through third grade and multiage. She is currently teaching third grade. She also taught fifth grade at Homedale Middle School in Homedale, ID.
As the Mathematics Lead Teacher, she trains and supervises the prekindergarten through second grade teachers using the Developmental Mathematics Assessment. Additionally, she provides professional development courses and mentoring for all prekindergarten through sixth grade teachers. Erika also serves as the School Improvement Cochair, focusing on achievement in mathematics.
Erika shows her passion for mathematics by instilling a love for numbers in her students. She focuses on developing a concrete understanding of number sense through engaging, hands-on problems. She encourages her students to go "beyond done" by finding creative and multiple solution paths.
Erika has a B.A. in elementary education from the College of Idaho and an M.S. in reading from Walden University. She is certified in elementary education, kindergarten through eighth grade.
- High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
- Awardee holding Presidential citation between Associate Director for Science of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. Carl Wieman and Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Cora Marrett
- High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph
