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Memphis Math Teacher Nathan Kirsch Wins TN Award

 

Back in the classroom, math teacher Nate Kirsch talks with Tennessee Commissioner of Education Dr. Penny Schwinn after his surprise Milken Award assembly. Instead of lecturing, Nate inspires students to take charge of their own learning. Class often starts with the answer up on the board; students can work backwards to solve the equations. They use technology to examine three-dimensional shapes to further their understanding of geometry and play games to explore new math concepts. Nate's methods deliver outstanding results. His students scored in the 99^th percentile on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS). The year before he took over the school’s AP Calculus class, not a single student had passed the AP exam; in two years, pass rates rose to 83%.