March 17, 2010 - Pitt County Administrator Selected for State Honor
Pitt County Schools K-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Connie Cheston was selected as one of two Outstanding Administrators in Science, Mathematics, and Technology (SMT) Education as determined by the N.C. SMT Education Center. In addition to being honored in Cary, N.C. on April 17, 2010, Cheston will receive a $1,000 award.
Cheston is the K-12 instructional mathematics coordinator for Pitt County Schools. In addition to her administrative work, this ECU graduate spent 23 years teaching science and math in Pitt County. Cheston provides pertinent resources, engages in mentoring and problem-solving and works actively with teachers to improve math instruction. She ensures that teachers remain focused on and committed to high-quality teaching.
Notes Cheston, “I listen to my teachers and fight for them because I was a teacher and I know what it feels like to not have good support.” She also suggests that helping teachers make use of existing resources while constantly on the look-out for new resources is part of the key to improvement.
In addition to her position in Pitt County, Cheston contributes to several statewide teaching councils and learning centers. She feels that one of her major challenges will be to remain sensitive to children’s needs while implementing shifting state and federal guidelines for math education.
Each year, the North Carolina Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center offers awards that recognize individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to science, mathematics, and technology education in N.C. are helping to advance the mission of the SMT Center.
