Philip Rash named 2015-2016 Excellence in Teaching winner | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

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January 14, 2016

A committee of his colleagues selected Mathematics Instructor Philip Rash for the 2015-2016 Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching award. Chancellor Todd Roberts, in announcing the award, noted Rash’s exceptional service to students beyond the classroom, from coaching academic competitions to attending students’ extracurricular events and taking them on field trips. “If you’re here on the weekends, you usually see one of his trucks parked here,” Roberts laughed.

In nominating him, colleagues noted that Rash, who has taught at NCSSM for 11 years, teaches students that the discovery process is as important as the discovery, and that he believes he teaches students first, then he teaches math. “Students listen to him because he has listened to them,” one colleague said. For his part, Rash has said that he sees himself as a student as well as a teacher, because he is always learning something either about teaching or the subject matter. The annual award comes with a $12,500 prize.

Read more about Philip Rash

UNC profiles Philip Rash

During an awards ceremony on January 14, 2016, Roberts also presented Math Instructor Cheryl Gann and Humanities Instructor Meredith Murphy with the 2015-2016 NCSSM Outstanding Teacher awards, with a prize of $2,500 each.

Fellow teachers and students credit Gann with creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions. One former student wrote about how Gann generously took the time to help the struggling student work towards the goal of earning an A in Calculus — and eventually inspired the student to major in math in college. Gann accepted the award with her husband, Chris Gann (also a math instructor at NCSSM), and their two young children smiling broadly from their seats.

Colleagues noted Murphy’s outstanding service to fellow teachers globally through development of unique curricula and other services, such as an exhaustive review of online resources. She chose teaching, Murphy has said, because she recognized the profound impact teachers had on her, beginning with her time at NCSSM (she is a Class of 2002 alumna). Her goal is to ensure that every student gains more awareness and appreciation of the way history has shaped their world.

Instructors winning the 2015-2016 awards for Exceptional Contributions are:

Classroom Innovation: Humanities Instructor Hong Li
Outreach: Science Instructor Bob Gotwals
Scholarship: Science Instructor Christine Muth
Service to Students: Mathematics Instructor Ryan Pietropaolo

Each of the Exceptional Contribution awards include a $1,125 award.

“What a job this committee has,” Roberts noted, in having to choose from so many accomplished instructors to honor with the awards. “We have an amazing group of faculty.”