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Of all her chart-topping skills, the one of particular importance is Michelle Brister's knack for breaking down math concepts by applying them to everyday situations. By teaching her students fractions by shooting baskets, making ice cream to calculate proportions, building a marble racetrack to study rates of travel and developing a class store (complete with "Brister Bucks") to help students master the concept of calculating sales tax, “light bulbs of understanding” burn brightly in Brister’s math class.

Brister actively uses the class website and provides detailed notes for parents on every lesson. Skilled at isolating individual learning styles and adapting her methods accordingly, Brister makes math relevant and fun. Parents are also an integral part of her classroom; she communicates with them regularly and involves them in an in-class activity at least twice a year.

Brister’s test scores are highly ranked in and outside of school, eclipsing the state and district averages. In fact, the superintendent credits her for helping Lovett’s math scores stay strong.

Math department chair at her school for four years, Brister is a mentor teacher, serves on several district committees and is continually described as a resource. She has also earned praise for turning her colleagues into believers of her out-of-box teaching methods. Comments one of her many proponents: "Converting others in the process is leadership on display."