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CHS Math Teacher Honored with Emerson Award
The School District of Clayton is pleased to announce Clayton High School Math Teacher Mike Rust has been selected as the District’s recipient of the 2016 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Rust has been teaching math in the District for 26 years; during that time, he has earned the respect of his students, their parents and his colleagues. Rust is a master teacher and natural leader whose content knowledge and pedagogy cannot be surpassed.
Rust has mastered the art of teaching any student at any level. He teaches his Advanced Placement calculus AB students with the same drive, passion and care he uses with a struggling learner in general geometry. Rust creates engaging lessons that challenge his students to push themselves. He holds them to high expectations but is empathetic and understanding at the same time. Rust uses humor in his classroom to keep the mood light, and he never takes himself too seriously.
Rust’s top priority is his students. He is committed to helping them succeed both in and out of the classroom. From the track and football field to Math Club, Rust is invested in the development of the “whole student.” Parents respect the work he does to support students academically as well as to help them develop into caring and resourceful adults.
Rust is a one of a kind colleague. He takes risks in his classroom to bring math alive for students – and then he discusses the outcomes with his fellow teachers. Rust is approachable and always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with veteran and new colleagues and student observers. During his time as the District’s math curriculum coordinator, Rust gained the respect of the District’s elementary teachers by valuing and validating their work, and by learning as much from them as they learned from him.
According to his colleagues, Rust is one of the most engaging, genuine teachers to walk the halls of Clayton High School. To them, he is the epitome of excellence in teaching, which is why he was selected as the recipient of this year’s Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Rust will be honored for this distinction at an awards ceremony and reception sponsored by Emerson this fall. He also is eligible to apply for grant funding provided by Emerson to support his classroom goals.
Rust has mastered the art of teaching any student at any level. He teaches his Advanced Placement calculus AB students with the same drive, passion and care he uses with a struggling learner in general geometry. Rust creates engaging lessons that challenge his students to push themselves. He holds them to high expectations but is empathetic and understanding at the same time. Rust uses humor in his classroom to keep the mood light, and he never takes himself too seriously.
Rust’s top priority is his students. He is committed to helping them succeed both in and out of the classroom. From the track and football field to Math Club, Rust is invested in the development of the “whole student.” Parents respect the work he does to support students academically as well as to help them develop into caring and resourceful adults.
Rust is a one of a kind colleague. He takes risks in his classroom to bring math alive for students – and then he discusses the outcomes with his fellow teachers. Rust is approachable and always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with veteran and new colleagues and student observers. During his time as the District’s math curriculum coordinator, Rust gained the respect of the District’s elementary teachers by valuing and validating their work, and by learning as much from them as they learned from him.
According to his colleagues, Rust is one of the most engaging, genuine teachers to walk the halls of Clayton High School. To them, he is the epitome of excellence in teaching, which is why he was selected as the recipient of this year’s Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Rust will be honored for this distinction at an awards ceremony and reception sponsored by Emerson this fall. He also is eligible to apply for grant funding provided by Emerson to support his classroom goals.