Cindy Hasselbring
National Science Foundation
Education and Human Resources Directorate, Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program
Michigan, High School Math
Cindy Hasselbring is a 16-year veteran teacher of mathematics at Milan High School in Milan, Michigan. During that time, she has taught algebra, geometry, FST (functions, statistics, and trigonometry), and statistics and served as an assistant cross-country and track coach for third- twelfth grade students.
Hasselbring earned her B.A. in Mathematics from Cedarville University in 1995 and her M.A. in Secondary School Teaching from Eastern Michigan University in 2001.
In 2005, Hasselbring was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. As a two-time participant in the Toyota International Teacher Program to Japan and Costa Rica (the only teacher nationwide to be selected twice), she brings a multicultural perspective to her mathematics classroom. Ms. Hasselbring co-leads the Network of Michigan Educators and has been active in providing training using interactive whiteboards and educational software in her district and at state and national conferences, presenting at the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference in 2006-08 and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual meeting in 2004-07 and 2009. Hasselbring achieved National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Adolescent and Young Adulthood Mathematics in 2002.
A two-time, highly qualified applicant for NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Program, Hasselbring has been an active member in the NASA Network of Educator Astronaut Teachers (NEAT) for the past seven years; her involvement in this group includes two reduced gravity flights, reviewing NASA grant proposals, and viewing three space shuttle launches. Hasselbring is currently working with NASA to develop a plan for how NEAT will be used to impact STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education across the country. Ms. Hasselbring authored 15 math lessons for the educational software RM Easiteach, which are used in their secondary math content pack.
As a passionate lifelong learner, Cindy continually challenges herself to learn new things. She is SCUBA certified, has taken courses in Japanese and Russian, earned her private pilot’s license and is currently working on her instrument rating.
“I believe in modeling being an active learner and taking opportunities to share those experiences and challenges with my students. I am passionate about linking mathematics and science in my classroom, especially using space exploration and aviation, two of my personal interests, as a focus. In this Fellowship, I hope to gain further insight of how meaningful STEM education can be effectively implemented in the secondary classroom.”
Cindy Hasselbring is serving her fellowship at the National Science Foundation, Education and Human Resources Directorate, Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Program.