North Cook News

The Evanston Township School Board took time to honor high school math teacher Lara DeMoya who was recently awarded the Excellence in Secondary Mathematics Teaching Award.

Dale Leibforth, chair of the math department, spoke about DeMoya's achievements during the Jan. 17 school board meeting. 

"During her seven years at ETHS, Lara has been creative and an energetic force in our department. She's an innovative teacher. Whether it's implementing cutting-edge standards-based grading, utilizing complex instruction teaching methods in her classroom, or teaching our trans-disciplinary STEAM design thinking and innovation course," Leibforth said during the meeting, "she's always a leader in our department and our school and across the broader mathematics community, helping redefine what mathematics looks like in the 21st century, even on the national level."

The board was told DeMoya has worked in multiple classrooms across the district and is known as an upbeat, energetic person who can bring light into any room she enters. 

DeMoya was this year's recipient of The Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) T.E. Rine award. It's given to one secondary math teacher in the state each year, dating back to 1965. In order to receive the award, the teacher has to be teaching high school math classes for at least 50% of their schedule, be an active participant in professional organizations, show continued development and growth as a teacher, provide leadership and beneficial impacts on the department of mathematics, among other qualities.

Leibforth told the board DeMoya deserved the award and belongs among the great math teachers previously honored by ICTM. Leibforth said she also constantly motivates and encourages her co-workers. 

DeMoya thanked the board for its recognition and thanked the administration for allowing her to pursue nonconventional ideas in the classroom that help her connect to her students.