“Happy FRQ Friday!” can be heard from down the halls of Fauquier High School’s (FHS) fourth floor on Fridays. Shouted by FHS calculus teacher Jennifer Feehan, she approaches teaching math with fun twists. Because of her dedication in the classroom, Feehan is one of two Virginia state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Feehan has known she wanted to be a teacher since her childhood. But it wasn’t until high school, thanks to her mathematics teacher, ​​Frieda Herman, at Rappahannock High School, that Feehan decided to pursue a career in teaching mathematics.

The path has not always been easy, but in her 20th year of teaching, Feehan remains committed to proving “every child is capable of success,” while understanding students from different backgrounds have different needs. “It is my role as the teacher to help them find their path.” Some ways Feehan engages the class is through gamification. “​​I like having students up at the boards doing problems, discussing mathematics with each other, and interacting with content without having to hear me go over a problem type for the thousandth time.”

Her dedication in the classroom has been recognized by the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching as a Virginia state finalist. Initially surprised, Feehan is grateful for the opportunities the achievement has provided, from offers to write articles for the Virginia Journal of Education, to serving on state-level education committees.

Feehan hopes “that students take away good work habits, more confidence in their own ability, and better communication skills” from her class. The calculus teacher has considered pursuing a doctorate and later teaching at a collegiate level. However, for now, she can’t wait to see her daughter graduate as a future Falcon.