A fourth-grade teacher at Cook Elementary School in Syracuse has been honored with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching.
Gayle C. Cloke went to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to accept her award as well as a $7,500 grant, which is to be used, under her direction, in improving the science and math program at her school.Cloke, a teacher for 18 years, has a particular talent in teaching mathematic symbols to students and, as a result, is often called upon to present workshops for the Utah Chapter of the National Council of Teachers of Math.
A graduate of Weber State College, Cloke is finishing her master's program in elementary education at Utah State University.
Cloke, a mother of two daughters, said she believes that girls are potentially just as strong in math as boys and can play a big part in meeting the demands for jobs requiring a high level of mathematics knowledge.