Seneca High School teacher receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching

Seneca High School mathematics teacher and department coordinator Amy Mosser didn’t originally plan to go to college for teaching, but now she can’t imagine doing anything else.

Mosser’s passion for her work and helping students has earned her the nationally recognized Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, given to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country.

“The recipients of this award are integral to ensuring our students are equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are vital to our nation’s success,” President Obama said in a release. “As the United States continues to lead the way in the innovation that is shaping our future, these excellent teachers are preparing students from all corners of the country with the science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills that help keep us on the cutting-edge.”

“To receive an award of this level for doing what I see as just part of the job I love is very humbling. The award reminds me to keep striving to get better and keep learning better ways to reach students. The Presidential Award reminds me that there is always reason to work hard and develop as a teacher,” Mosser said.

Mosser originally was going to study at Duquesne University’s highly competitive physical therapy program. However, she was “not-so-casually” encouraged to study teaching by Shawnee High School teacher Ingrid Williams. That day, Mosser changed her major and has never looked back, earning a bachelor’s of arts degree, magna cum laude, in mathematics and a bachelor’s of science degree, magna cum laude, in secondary mathematics education.

“It sounds cliché, but it was the amazing teachers in the Lenape district that made me want to be a teacher … It was one of the best decisions of my life and I couldn’t possibly imagine doing anything else for a profession,” Mosser said.

Mosser substituted for Seneca while on breaks from college and was hired to work at Seneca straight out of college. Ten years later, she is now the mathematics department coordinator and teaches algebra II honors, accelerated and college prep, and has taught pre-calculus for the majority of her tenure.

For all of her accomplishments, her supervisor, David Maier, nominated Mosser for the award in 2015, going through an extensive application process. It was announced in August she was the recipient of the award for grades seven through 12 in New Jersey. Mosser does not take the full credit of the award; instead she credits her colleagues.

“I really don’t think I stand apart from other teachers. We are all a team, especially at Seneca. We all share lessons and activities constantly. Everyone does a great job of supporting each other. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am right now in teaching without the help of my colleagues,” Mosser said.

Mosser believes in discovery learning, engaging students in productive dialogue and helping them make connections. She uses technology as a tool to enhance learning and deepen understanding. She has worked with a colleague to develop several projects and hands-on activities to help students apply math concepts to real-world situations. They have presented these projects at numerous National Council of Teachers of Mathematics conferences.

“To me, teaching is so much bigger than the content; it is about teaching students how to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. It is about teaching students to be productive members of society. I just use math as my medium to help guide students to bigger things,” Mosser said.

Mosser is a leader on a district, state and national level. She has worked on curriculum revisions, led in-services and served as a mentor teacher. She is on the Board of Trustees for the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey. Mosser has had extensive involvement with NCTM, having served on the Teacher Advisory Group and the Illuminations Advisory Group, and received the Texas Instruments Demana-Waits Award. She is also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Educators.

Winners of this presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion, and are invited to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony, as well educational and celebratory events, and visits with members of the administration.

Mosser plans to use the $10,000 to further her education and to update the technology she uses in the classroom.

She said she wants to improve her lessons and provide the best opportunities for her students to be successful.

“Our former superintendent, Emily Capella, said once that she hates to hear people say they are ‘just a teacher.’ This award reminds me of that — you’re not ‘just a teacher’ if you always strive to be better and find the best ways to reach students,” Mosser said.