Riverview Graduate Receives National Teaching Award

In January 2025, Riverview graduate, Ella Hereth, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. This is the highest award a math or science teacher can receive from the U.S. Government for their essential role in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, engineers, and scientists. Hereth also received a $10,000 award to support her innovative efforts.
      
Hereth credits her Riverview Chemistry Teacher, Mrs. Stephanie Birkmeyer, with emphasizing critical thinking skills and a confident approach to achievement. Birkmeyer’s teaching approach was influenced by her work at Westinghouse before coming to Riverview.
        
Hereth graduated from Riverview High School in 2000. She later graduated from the University of Chicago. She decided to become a teacher after a previous career in health care. She entered the Teach for America program and earned her National Board Certification in Math.
       
In this era of technology and AI, Hereth emphasizes critical thinking skills and problem-solving in her students. Walls of white boards in her classroom are for students to show their thinking, not imitate the teacher’s solution. Hereth guides students’ problem-solving, even as they learn from other students’ solutions. She emphasizes that to be effective, a teacher must engage in reflective practice, always examining ways to improve their teaching so students can learn to think.
       
Hereth now serves as Chair of the Math Department at Harshman MS in Indianapolis. She is the daughter of Laura and David Hereth of Oakmont. We are Oakmont and Riverview Proud of Ella Hereth!
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