Math mentor is Teacher of the Year

PALMER — A Colony High School math teacher has been named Alaska Teacher of the Year.

Robert Williams, who has taught at Colony for two years and has taught for 21, including a stint in West Africa, received the award Sunday during the Association of Alaska School Boards meeting in Juneau.

“It’s very humbling,” Williams said Monday. “And it’s an honor to represent teaching and teachers.”

Williams forms bonds with his students and shows he cares by becoming an adviser and attending after-school activities, Alaska Commissioner of Education and Early Development Larry LeDoux said in a statement.

Williams was chosen as teacher of the year by a statewide screening committee and has won high praise from Mat-Su Borough School District Superintendent George Troxel.

In a news release from the district, Troxel sums up Williams by touting the qualities he demonstrates.

“Be an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled teacher; inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn; have the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues,” he said.

Williams is a graduate of Palmer High School and said it’s been an honor and privilege to have taught in the Valley for so long.

The whole time, he’s been trying to make learning math more of a fun pursuit.

“I love math, and I’m pretty excited about it,” Williams said, adding if he can pass that excitement on to his students he’s succeeded.

Williams’ new moniker of teacher of the year will take him to Washington, D.C., in April 2009 to meet President-elect Barack Obama.

All the attention isn’t going to his head, however, and Williams said he knows where his loyalty lies.

“I love teaching at Colony High School,” he said.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.