Bed-Stuy Public High School Teacher Receives Award of Excellence

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Patrice Bridgewater, a beloved teacher at Bedford Academy High School, received the city's top award for math and science teachers in public schools this week. Bridgewater, a Brooklyn native, received the award from the Sloan Awards for Excellence in Teaching in Science and Mathematics along with six other outstanding NYC teachers.

Bridgewater was awarded a $5,000 prize and Bedford Academy School received $2,500 to strengthen its science and math department.

The Sloan Awards for Excellence in Teaching in Science and Mathematics recognize creative science and mathematics teachers in New York City public high schools who achieve superb outcomes and promote a love for science and mathematics, often inspiring students to pursue careers in science, math and other STEM fields.

Bridgewater is known specifically for her dedication to students outside of the classroom. She conducts two-hour tutoring sessions twice a week and three hours on Saturdays.

"Ms. Bridgewater's courses embody what the ideal classroom should be: challenging, engaging, and focusing on students and their diverse needs," said Bedford Academy principal Adofo Muhammed.

Bridgewater went to Bedford Academy High School herself, graduating in 2006. She won a merit scholarship to Brooklyn College and graduated in 2010. She immediately returned to teach at Bedford Academy.

The awards recognize creative science and mathematics teachers in New York City public high schools who achieve superb outcomes and promote a love for science and mathematics, often inspiring students to pursue careers in science, math and other STEM fields.

"This year’s winners of the Sloan Awards, like the past winners, introduce their students to beauty of science and math by making the subjects engaging, relevant and exciting," said Mary McCormick, President of the Fund for the City of New York. "Their students go on to pursue math and science in college and beyond, and they leave high schools with the confidence they have what it takes to become experts in math and science, to be able to think critically and to be engaged citizens."

The winners of the awards are chosen by an independent panel of scientists, mathematicians, and educators. To qualify, a teacher has to have taught math or science in NYC schools for at least five years and "demonstrate excellence in teaching and in achieving results," according to the Sloan Awards.

The other winners were:

· Bianca Brandon, Staten Island Technical High School

· Maria Elizabeth Dela Cruz, Newtown High School

· Elizabeth Dowdell, The Urban Assembly Maker Academy

· Diana Lennon, Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and Engineering

· Margaret Savitzky, Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School

· Manjot Singh, John Bowne High School

Photo credit: Anat Gerstein