Math Teacher Named 2014 Christa McAuliffe Outstanding Teacher

From the Prince George’s County Public Schools

Sheri Eastman, mathematics teacher at the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College, was recently selected as recipient of the 2014 Christa McAuliffe Outstanding Teacher Award. Eastman was selected for this honor by a peer committee of Prince George’s County Public Schools educators. 

“Ms. Eastman’s creativity and exceptional instruction in the classroom make her the ideal candidate for this award,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer for PGCPS in a news release. "To be selected by a committee of fellow educators makes this honor all the more meaningful."

Eastman will be honored by the Prince George’s County Board of Education and school system administrators during the annual Employee Recognition Dinner on May 29 at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt. In addition, her name will be inscribed on a plaque displayed in the Board of Education Meeting Room at the Sasscer Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.

Eastman has 20 years of experience. She has served PGCPS students for the past 16 years, teaching students at Surrattsville and Largo high schools prior to her 2012 appointment as a mathematics teacher at the Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC in Largo. School staff nominated her for the award not only for her experience and effectiveness in the classroom, but also for her knowledge, dedication, and ability to excite students about math.

“Is is remarkable how students tackle their assignments with excitement and enthusiasm in Ms. Eastman’s class,” said principal Dr. Kathy Richard Andrews. “She has shown a level of dedication above and beyond the scope of her job, and always exhibits motivation, dedication, trustworthiness, and talent.”

A leader throughout her career and always willing to share her knowledge with her peers, Eastman has served as mathematics teacher coordinator, mentor teacher, professional developer, High School Consortium Resource Teacher, and Academic Validation Teacher Trainer. Colleagues describe her as “enthusiastic,”  “phenomenal,” and someone who can “inspire an attitude of play inside and outside” the classroom.

Eastman knew she wanted to be a teacher from the time she was in elementary school, and continues to be an avid learner today to build her skills through ongoing professional development. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Maryland College Park. She went on to earn a master’s degree in teaching from Bowie State University. In 2005, she earned national board certification – the highest certification a teacher can achieve – in mathematics from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

In her community, Eastman has served as the program director of Power Mentor Group, matching professional male mentors with at-risk elementary school boys in Washington, D.C.; taught computer skills to senior citizens; developed the Summer Technology Enrichment Program at Surrattsville (STEPS) and acted as Stem Team sponsor at Surrattsville High School; hosted a live, online math tutorial program; and currently publishes a daily E-Paper through Twitter to share college admission and scholarship information with PGCPS students and their parents.

The Christa McAuliffe Award honors an outstanding educator based on competitive standards of excellence established by other teachers. The award is a tribute to McAuliffe, America’s Teacher-In-Space, who died in the January 1986 explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. McAuliffe taught in Prince George’s County from 1971 to 1978.

The following teachers were also nominated for this year’s award:

• Margaret Brosnan, Eleanor Roosevelt HS
• David Neagley, Northwestern HS
• Jane Ness, Greenbelt MS
• Emmanuela Njoku, Calverton ES
• Daisy Rayela, Thomas Johnson MS
• Takisha Webb, Deerfield Run ES