Letitia McCallister, a mathematics teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, IN, has been teaching in the Hamilton Southeastern School District for seven years. She currently teaches pre-algebra and advanced placement calculus.
Ms. McCallister strives to ensure that all students reach their full potential. She constantly analyzes the curriculum and methods of instruction and employs various computer programs and cooperative learning activities.
Students praise Ms. McCallister’s three-pronged approach to teaching calculus: theory, examples, and explanation involving reasoning. She encourages students to use their minds, not just their calculators, and she teaches them how to apply logic to problem solving and use intuition and reasoning to understand, rather than just accept, the mathematics theories she presents.
Ms. McCallister has led efforts to enhance technology use in teaching mathematics. She is always willing to share her knowledge and skills. When asked to create a math lab supplemental program for pre-algebra without a text or materials, she created a large binder of hands-on activities and games that became a model for fellow teachers.
Ms. McCallister has received other honors. She is a five-time recipient of the Top 25 Award at Hamilton Southeastern High School, an influential teacher honor, and she was nominated for Teacher of the Year at the school three times.
Ms. McCallister is certified to teach grades nine through twelve mathematics and kindergarten through twelfth grade computer education. She has a B.S. in mathematics from Purdue University and an M.A. in computer education from Wright State University.