Again and again, Evergreen proves that it can attract and foster talented teachers across all levels. This has been ever-present in the state and national accolades those associated with the college continue to receive. If the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is any indicator, Evergreen is at the vanguard of teaching those subjects effectively. Earlier this year, current Evergreen professor Dr. Carri LeRoy received this White House recognition. In 2016, former faculty member Jana Dean received the award. And now Spencer Olmsted, a 2012 alum of the Masters in Math Education (M.Ed.) program, is one of four finalists being considered for the next PAEMST award.
On May 18th the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction announced four Washington State finalists for the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The finalists were selected by a committee of statewide content area experts and award-winning teachers. Finalists are now waiting for the national committee to select national awardees, which will be announced this fall. National awardees will be selected based on their effective use of assessments, instructional methods, reflective practice, life-long learning and educational leadership. Once finalists are selected, they will travel to Washington D.C. to attend events, receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, and receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
One of the four finalists, and the only Washington State math teacher nominated, was Spencer Olmsted, M.Ed. '12. Olmsted teaches 4th and 5th grade highly capable students at Roosevelt Elementary in the Olympia School District. Evergreen Alumni Program Manager, Caroline Bell, sat down with Spencer Olmsted to celebrate his exciting achievement and learn more about his journey in teaching.
What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching math?
Olmsted: I was a software developer before becoming a teacher. During my time in software development, I started to notice that a lot of people were not happy at work. We were always in a rush, but we weren’t really going anywhere. I realized that I needed to do something that held more purpose.
When I pivoted careers, I began volunteering in classrooms and it immediately suited me.
I received a BA in elementary education at Montana State University and then, after teaching for a few years, went to The Evergreen State College for their Masters in Math Education program. I taught in a self-contained 5th grade classroom, teaching for all subjects, but math quickly became my passion. I think that the software developer in me gravitated towards math.
How has your Evergreen experience impacted your career in teaching?
Olmsted: Fourteen years ago, I went to an Olympia School District training at Evergreen. Anita Lenges was teaching with the MiT program at the time, and she blew me away. Being a part of the training that Professor Lenges led opened my eyes to how much I didn’t know; I was hooked.
Following the training I applied to Evergreen. During my time in the M.Ed. program, I was reshaped as a math teacher. We were exposed to tons of research, as well as a critical examination of the crossroads of neuroscience and educational pedagogy. We also got to design and produce research of our own. The relationships with faculty were very strong because we had such a small group of people in our M.Ed. cohort. The learning community made everything more personal. We helped one another work to an incredibly high standard. My journey at Evergreen was transformative. I also took additional math classes with Vauhn Foster-Grahler and eventually received endorsements to teach middle school and high school mathematics.
Since graduating from Evergreen, I have had the opportunity to bring on student teachers to assist in my classroom. I only consider candidates from Evergreen because the MiT students are simply amazing, and the program sets them up for success.
Are there any skills gained at Evergreen that you see come through your teaching or curriculum planning?
Olmsted: I really push my kids to communicate in a variety of ways, to justify their thinking, to question others' thinking, and to prove their arguments so they can change the way others think. It's not about getting correct answers, it's about trying to understand the world and share that knowledge with others.
Working with professor Sarah Sunshine Campbell gave me insight into how curriculum could be modified to meet the needs of all my students. I don’t think of curriculum as unchangeable; I have to see my students through the curriculum and adjust it to fit them where they are at that point in time.
While studying at Evergreen, did any faculty inspire or influence you?
Olmsted: I started with Sherry Walton and Terry Ford who are both emeritus faculty and have seen it all. They pushed us to write and think really hard from the first moment we sat down. It was a rigorous experience. Sarah Sunshine Campbell led us on a journey to improve our mathematical pedagogy. And Vaughn Foster-Grahler, who runs the QUASR Center, was one of the best math professors I have ever had. She understands math like no one else I have known and teaches math in the ways I wanted to teach it. I am so thankful that I was able to learn with these faculty members because it has truly transformed the work I do with my fourth and fifth graders.
What does teaching mean to you?
Olmsted: Teaching is life. (But you have to say it like Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso.) It’s way more than just a job. I guess it's a lot like parenthood: you’re all in. I get to work with kids, I get to push their ideas and their thinking, and I get to share in the wonderful ideas they have. Teaching is about taking a group of kids and changing the future. Beyond the academics, teachers have them think about how their words and actions impact others. We teach them how to write, how to listen, how to quantify things, and how to use mathematical and scientific inquiry to understand how the world works.
What's amazing is hearing back from them years later, when they reach out and say, ‘I remember you being one of my favorite teachers!’ It's awe inspiring when they share how you impacted their life for the better. We rarely get to see how the ripples we make turn into giant waves in their lives. It reinforces why teaching is so important and reminds me that the work I do does make a difference.
How did the pandemic impact you and your students?
Olmsted: The pandemic completely disrupted the flow of the system. The kids exited the institution and spent a lot of time at home in very different environments. When they came back to school, they were all in completely different places; there were academic gaps and new behavioral challenges. My sense is that over time we will get back to where we were, but it’s taking longer than we anticipated. Thankfully we made it through remote schooling and got back into the classrooms this year. We learned a lot through this experience, but I think we’re still figuring out what the new normal looks like.
I have appreciated the addition of Zoom for a number of reasons. For conferences with families, everyone can make it from wherever they are, and we even get a little peak into one another’s homes. Kids can also utilize Zoom if they are sick but want to stay connected to what is going on in class.
One of the biggest disruptions for the kids was with writing. There was just no way they were going to write the same way at home as they would have in the classroom. Again, they were all isolated and in completely different environments, so the uniformity of learning together was lost. I worked really hard to mitigate these disruptions by using technology to help us connect with one another and share our work, but it’s not quite the same as being together.
On a bright note, we had our first in-person assembly just this past spring where there was music and singing and laughter. It felt normal, finally.
What is the most exciting part of teaching at Roosevelt Elementary?
Olmsted: It is my neighborhood school so I’m even more connected to everything that goes on in the school community. I started at Roosevelt the same year my son entered kindergarten there. He just finished 5th grade, and I have been able to see him grow up at school throughout the elementary years. The other exciting part is that I know many of the families on a personal level. I get to be a parent, a teacher, and community member all at the same time.
How have you been since learning of your 2022 PAEMST Nomination? Any thoughts or reflections you would like to share?
Olmsted: It feels great to be a finalist. I was nominated by a former student, which felt incredible in and of itself. I had never even heard of the award at the time. Once I got the email I reviewed the process that I needed to go through and thought I wasn’t going to take it on. It was a lot of work and everything was due in one month. I went back and forth and then I called a colleague, Jana Dean, who is a former Evergreen faculty member and actually won this award a few years ago. Jana was thrilled to hear of the nomination and encouraged me to go for it. I am really glad I did.
The nice part was that the work was important, regardless of whether I was selected as a finalist or not. I did quite a bit of writing and reflection, and I filmed and analyzed a math lesson I taught my class. I also got to hear from parents and students about how my teaching has impacted their lives, which was eye opening and heartwarming. Since the announcement there have been a lot of people reaching out and celebrating this accomplishment. It’s been really nice to get recognition, but there are so many amazing teachers out there – I feel like I get to represent all of them as well.
I am really excited to be a finalist and look forward to the fall to see what happens in the national selection.
What advice would you share to prospective Greeners? Teachers?
Olmsted:
To Greeners: The education that you are getting at Evergreen has made you into a critical thinker. The world needs more critical thinkers and problem solvers. In order to put that to work you need to find a place to work in your passion, to feel like you have found your calling. Don’t settle for the first thing that comes along.
To future teachers: Get out there and change the schools. We have a lot of work to do, in terms of equity and educational outcomes, but the education you get at Evergreen prepares you to become a master teacher. We need your voices, your creative spark, and your passion to make the world a better place. Go make waves.
Spencer Olmsted doesn’t just embody the high standards in teaching that Evergreen has been known for over the last 50+ years – he also shows how alumni carry Evergreen’s values forward. Self-reflection, innovation, and meeting others where they are to achieve excellence together – by setting this example for today's youth, Spencer shares his Evergreen experience with the wider community. Evergreen’s commitment to its students and access to higher education are core values that will continue for the next 50+ years, and we look forward to seeing how the Evergreen alumni and students make our communities a better place to live for all. Thank you for being a great ambassador for your alma mater, Spencer, and congratulations on your professional recognition. Good luck with the final round – and most importantly, have fun teaching your students this fall!
Another interview with Spencer Olmsted about the exciting award nomination was published by OPSI here.