Paige Evans Honored by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics - University of Houston
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Paige Evans Honored by the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Paige EvansCOE Clinical Associate Professor Paige Evans is the recipient of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) 2015 John C. Butler Excellence in Teaching Award.  Evans is a science master teacher for UH’s teachHOUSTON program which is a collaboration between the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and the College of Education. teachHOUSTON prepares students to become successful high school math and science teachers.

“I am truly honored to represent teachHOUSTON with this teaching award as everyone in our program continuously strives for excellence in all of our courses,” said Evans. “Receiving this award illuminates the successful collaboration between the colleges of Education and Natural Sciences and Mathematics and highlights our mission of preparing highly qualified teachers in the critical needs areas of math and science.”

Evans, who has been with UH since 2008 has designed, developed and taught many courses in the teachHOUSTON program. She developed and taught Student Teaching and the Student Teaching Seminar which are full time, semester long internship courses where preservice teachers gradually take on all of the duties of a full time math or science teacher. She designed Physics by Inquiry which teaches physics content while modeling effective teaching pedagogies (inquiry based learning, appropriate use of technology and engineering design projects). Evans also designed Gifted and Talented Education for Mathematics and Science Teachers.

Evans has also designed a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to prepare students for the AP Physics 1 exam that reaches a worldwide audience.  In 2015, the course served more than 5,781 students located in 130 countries.

Jennifer Chauvot, chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction is familiar with Evans’s work in the teachHOUSTON program.  “I had the pleasure of working with her in the early years of teachHOUSTON so I am not surprised at all to hear that Dr. Evans has received this award,” said Chauvot.   

Paige Evans with her studentsEvans is known to go above and beyond when it comes to her students.  She will often create a video for students after she has graded homework.  This video shows students how to solve commonly missed problems.  One student said of Evans, “she has encouraged me to reach my full potential as a student and future teacher, as she does with any student who seeks her guidance.”

Evans influences her graduate students who teach undergraduates as well.  “Her impact extends beyond the students she taught personally as her influence continues to enrich the learning of all students taught by graduates of the teachHOUSTON  program,” said a former student.  

teachHOUSTON is committed to combatting the shortage of qualified math and science teachers in our country and emphasizes early and on-going field-based teaching experiences while students are working to attain a bachelor’s degree in math or science.

The program is open to undergraduate mathematics and science majors interested in secondary STEM teaching or who want to expand their professional skills. Students graduate in four years with a degree in math or science as well as teacher certification.