Sean Nank
Secondary Mathematics Presidential Award Recipient
“I am grateful and humbled by this award. My curricula and pedagogy are an ever-changing culmination of my interactions with students, colleagues, mentors, past teachers from kindergarten to my Ph.D., family, and friends. I value and thank every one of you. I appreciate all the wonderful educators I continue to meet and collaborate with as a result of this award. I look forward to the journeys this award will provide and the opportunity to support future generations of students and teachers.”--Sean Nank
Sean Nank has taught mathematics at El Camino High School for the past nine years. Previously, he taught mathematics for four years at Santiago High School in California and for one year at Gardner-South Wilmington High School in Illinois. He has served his district as the Technology Committee Leader and his school as Professional Learning Community Leader. Nank trains and supports his colleagues in the use of technology and facilitates cooperative curricular and pedagogical planning.
Using humor and an excellent rapport with students, Nank maintains rigor while easing mathematics anxiety in the classroom. He initiated the school’s first martial arts club and runs self-defense seminars for female students, which build self-esteem and discipline.
Nank has published studies about qualitative and quantitative research and has finished a book (under contract to Discovery Association Publishing House) about mathematics reform and standardized assessments.
Nank has an A.S. in Mathematics from the College of Lake County, a B.S. in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of California, Riverside. He is certified to teach mathematics in Illinois and California.
