Excerpt from Albuquerque Journal 2-9-12

Mariasol Roberts was recently recognized for her contribution to the students of the East Mountains.  Last Thursday she was named as the National Teacher of the Year.  Over the last 5 years Mrs. Roberts has worked to break own the mathematical walls that hold some students back from success.  Former student Lizzie Gruden told us “I laughed at her the first day in class when she yelled ‘Math is awesome!’ at us.  But after she took the time to explain things in three or four different ways I changed my mind about math.  I definitely don’t love it but I am not afraid of it anymore.” This passion for helping kids find their math voice has been with teaching was just a thought in her mind.  “My father helped me to understand math, “ She told us “and I think that everyone has the ability to at least not struggle at math.  It is finding the way to understand it that is hard.  Once the kids see the way in which they understand math the world opens up to them.  Then math isn’t scary and they find it might even be fun then.”  Being a third generation teacher in the Albuquerque area has certainly helped her develop her art. “Watching my parents’ ability to connect with the kids in their classroom taught me so much growing up.  I was lucky to have my mom here to give me advice during my first year of teaching.”

 Fellow teachers told us of her sense of humor, “She keeps us laughing with her crazy math jokes and that seems to help her connect with the kids too.”  While reading tutoring in elementary schools has been around for quite a few years Mrs. Roberts has spearheaded the effort to make math help available just as readily.  Her principal states “She has been an active member in the mountain community for years starting when her oldest daughter started school.  Everyone knows her whether or not they know her name.  How many other math loving moms are walking around with four kids hanging off of them?  She is a vital member of our community and we are lucky to have her here.”