Decorah teacher nominated for national award

Decorah High School math teacher Allysen Lovstuen has been named a state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

A national selection committee will review Lovstuen's nomination--as soon as the federal government shutdown ends.  The committee will make a select from Lovstuen and two other nominees.

The teacher selected will receive $10,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.  The trip will include an award ceremony and programs on how to improve math education.

Lovstuen says she knew she was destined to be a math teacher in the fifth grade.  "I always liked figuring out problems and that's what I see math is – a problem-solving activity," she said. "It's overcoming challenges. I didn't mind it being hard because I knew the feeling of success would be worth it."

As a teacher, however, she knows not all students take a liking to math, at least not immediately.  "I think it all goes back to confidence," she said. "I use frequent formative assessments and check in with each student. It allows me to focus on small groups of students to see where they're strong, and when they need a bit more of a push – not to give them the answer, but to help them figure out what they need to know."

"I love letting the students see the power of the math as a tool, and the creativity and beauty of math that most people who never go on into math don't ever see," she said.