Local math teacher Christa Ferdig receives presidential award

A local math teacher has earned presidential recognition for her work in the classroom.

Christa Ferdig of Georgetown received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching June 25 in Washington, D.C. The annual award honors teachers from every state and the U.S. territories. This year, 104 teachers were recognized; Ferdig and Wendy Turner of Wilmington represented Delaware.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Ferdig said. “I will continue to search for the best methods of developing students’ love for mathematics, and I look forward to challenging my students to expand their understandings for years to come.”

While in D.C., Ferdig attended a National Science Foundation meeting with corporate and educational science, technology, engineering and math leaders from throughout the country to brainstorm and develop ideas for the next five-year federal plan for STEM education. “We discussed reaching the underrepresented in the field, like women and minorities, and integrating science and the meaningful use of technology throughout the curriculum,” she said.

As part of the application, Ferdig had to submit an unedited, 45-minute video of herself teaching in the classroom. “Students were distinguishing between multiplying and dividing with fractions, and all students were working at individual levels,” she said. “Some were working on the computer, others through a student-led discussion and discovery.”

Ferdig said students were excited when they figured it out on their own. “Good teaching is getting students to be motivated for their own learning,” she said. “It’s a golden moment when everything comes together.”

Ferdig received the award as a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Long Neck Elementary, where she taught for seven years. She will begin the 2018 school year as a seventh-grade math and science teacher at Georgetown Middle School. Before moving to Delaware, she taught in New Jersey for 11 years.  “I taught for 18 years in the elementary school setting, so I needed a new challenge to refuel myself and diversify my experience,” she said.

Ferdig embeds mathematical practice standards into every lesson, and makes it a priority to connect with her students early on. “It’s important for them to know there is a purpose and career for what they’re doing in class,” she said.

Ferdig recently earned her master’s degree in school leadership from Wilmington University, certifying her for assistant principal or principal positions. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey. She and her husband have four children and two grandchildren.