KU News Release
Andie Grasmick Nye
LAWRENCE - Andie Grasmick Nye wasn't always a numbers person. She had always gravitated toward social studies and English classes in high school.
But then she took pre-calculus - and loved it. Then she took calculus - and loved it, too. When she arrived at the University of Kansas, this love of math became a major. But she knew that she wanted to influence young people in the way she had been influenced by her math teachers at Overland High School in Aurora, Colo.
"I wanted to work with people, and I wanted a career that outlives myself," said Nye.
On May 17, Nye will walk down the Hill as the first graduate of the UKanTeach program, a collaboration between KU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Education that leads to a degree in science or math as well as a teaching license in four years. She also is one of the first two graduates nationally of the National Math and Science Initiative, which is funding innovative programs at 13 universities across the country. UKanTeach is modeled after UTeach, a highly successful math and science teacher preparation program at the University of Texas-Austin.
Nye credits UKanTeach with influencing the way she teaches, making lessons interesting and incorporating projects in the classroom.
"I really learned contextual framework," she said.
In addition to a math degree and teaching license, Nye will receive a bachelor's degree in political science - all in four years. While at KU, she also was a teaching assistant for Math 101 and a tutor for the Department of Athletics.
"Andie is both an exceptional student and future teacher. She has worked hard balancing her studies in both mathematics and pedagogy," said Margie Hill, UKanTeach master teacher and student teaching instructor.
And now Nye will fulfill her goal of influencing young minds as she was influenced. She has accepted a job back at Overland High School, her old alma mater in Aurora.
"I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity to give back to my hometown community," said Nye. "I hope that I have as great an impact on my future students as my high school teachers have had on me."
Nye is the daughter of Stephen and Anne Grasmick.
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