Jacksonville elementary school teacher receives highest honor from President Obama

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A local teacher is being recognized by the President of the United States. Angela Phillips is a fifth grade teacher at Chets Creek Elementary School. She's being honored for excellence in getting local boys and girls interested in math.

Since Angela Phillips was knee-high, she wanted to be a teacher like her mother. She tells Action News Jax she loved playing teacher and observing her mother’s classroom.

“It’s very rewarding to see their faces light up and to see them go from being nervous and feeling reluctant as a learner to seeing that light bulb go off,” said Phillips.

For 23 years, she’s devoted her life to inspiring young minds. Growing up, her favorite subject was math, and now she shares that same passion with future mathematicians, her students.

Fifth-grader Andrew Johnson told us he’s had Mrs. Phillips for fourth and fifth grade, and that he’s seen a huge improvement in his understanding of math.

“First, she breaks it down, and then she would explain it as a whole group,” said Johnson.

Johnson told us he’s so inspired by her passion for mathematics that he also wants to become a mathematician.

Student Sachin Sarabanan explained that fractions are challenging for him; however, Mrs. Phillips takes the complex problem and is able to show him ways to make it understandable.

“She’s really special. She helps us a lot,” said Sarabanan.

Math is something we use every day, and educators like Phillips are teaching fifth-graders problem-solving skills they can carry with them into middle school and beyond.

“I really want my students to see mathematics is so important, because it infiltrates our lives in so many different disciplines,” said Phillips.

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Phillips was given the highest award by the U.S. government for her outstanding work in teaching mathematics. She tells me it’s a humbling honor to be recognized. Phillips is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. One of 213 awardees, Phillips joins an elite group of educators recognized nationally as models and leaders in mathematics and science education.

“To receive such a distinguished honor on a national scale is an educator’s dream, and I am thrilled for Ms. Phillips and the Chets Creek Elementary community,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Schools. “This recognition does more than just affirm Ms. Phillips’ impact on her students, school and the district. It also reinforces the caliber and quality of educators we have here in Duval County Public Schools.”

As her students learn how to use exponents, they told us they’re thrilled that Mrs. Phillips is getting so much attention.

“I’m not going to be scared of middle school next year because I have her as a teacher,” said Johnson.

Phillips told me her goal is to create a dynamic, energetic and bubbly classroom that inspires growth and a few smiles. In early September, Phillips will attend an awards ceremony as well as educational seminars in Washington, D.C.

Cox Media Group