Daniel Bonnett

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a high school mathematics teacher because I wanted to inspire students to see the beauty and practicality of math in everyday life. Mathematics is more than numbers; it’s a way of thinking and problem-solving that applies to countless real-world situations. By teaching, I can help students build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and discover how math shapes the world around them. My goal is to make learning engaging, meaningful, and accessible for all students.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have had several memorable moments, but one is when taught at an alternative school for at risk kids, and besides teaching them about mathematics I was incorporating the VEX robotics into the curriculum and pushed the students to be the best that they could be and we decided to attend some VEX competitions. Not only were the at risk students loving this they ended up winning their first competition and turned out that we won 8/9 competitions that see to make it to the WV state championships.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I had $25,000 to use for myself and my high school mathematics classroom, I would invest in resources that enhance student engagement, deepen conceptual understanding, and create a more dynamic learning environment. This would include: interactive whiteboards, and math software to improve visualization and problem-solving. Upgrading manipulatives, and hands-on learning tools to support diverse learning styles.This investment would create a richer, more engaging mathematics experience forall