I am grateful and humbled by this award. My curricula and pedagogy are an ever-changing culmination of my interactions with students, colleagues, mentors, past teachers from kindergarten to my Ph.D., family, and friends. I value and thank every one of you. I appreciate all the wonderful educators I continue to meet and collaborate with as a result of this award. I look forward to the journeys this award will provide and the opportunity to support future generations of students and teachers.
Sean Nank has taught mathematics at El Camino High School for the past 9 years. Previously, he taught mathematics for 4 years at Santiago High School in California and for 1 year at Gardner-South Wilmington High School in Illinois.
As the Technology Committee Leader, Teacher Leader, and Professional Learning Community Leader, Sean trains and supports his colleagues in the use of technology and facilitates cooperative curricular and pedagogical planning.
Using humor and an excellent rapport with students, Sean maintains rigor while easing mathematics anxiety in the classroom. He initiated the school’s first martial arts club and runs self-defense seminars for female students, which build self-esteem and discipline.
Sean has published an article about qualitative and quantitative research. He is active in qualitative research and is working on a book about mathematics reform and standardized assessments, contracted for publication with Discovery Association Publishing House.
Sean has an A.S. in Mathematics from the College of Lake County, a B.S. in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of California, Riverside. He is certified to teach mathematics in Illinois and California.
- High-resolution version of the official portrait photograph
- Awardee holding Presidential citation between the Director of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Subra Suresh and the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. John P. Holdren
- High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph
