Nagesh Kumar
Rio Rico High School and the Santa Cruz Valley School District are proud to recognize Nagesh Kumar as their nominee for outstanding high school teacher. Mr. Kumar has earned multiple undergraduate and graduate degrees, including the following: Bachelor’s Degree in Science, specializing in Physics, Chemistry, and Math, from Punjab University in India; Master’s Degree in Mathematics from Himachal Pradesh University in India; Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Himachal Pradesh University; Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Himachal Pradesh University; and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.
Nagesh Kumar currently teaches mathematics, including Pre-Calculus, Honors Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus, at Rio Rico High School. He also has taught several other math courses, including Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. Mr. Kumar knows that his students’ success in math depends on their connection to him and to their classmates as well as their willingness to take intellectual risks. He devotes considerable time to building a supportive classroom community, and he strives for constant engagement of his students. It is clear that his formula of relationships and rigor is effective: not only do his students earn high marks on state tests and on AP Calculus exams, but they also have been known to sell T-shirts emblazoned with his face for fundraisers!
Mr. Kumar’s impact transcends his own classroom and spreads throughout the entire school. He serves as senior class advisor, leads fundraising activities, and serves as the Math Department Instructional Leader. He launched a STEM club at the school, and he can be found running the clock at home football games. Nagesh Kumar truly is an outstanding teacher and leader with unmatched dedication to the students of Rio Rico High School.
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