Vivian Shell

Alumna, Secondary Licensure

Vivian Shell has taught middle and high school mathematics in the Salt Lake City School District for 15 years. She has spent the past four years at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education, teaching and helping build a school for diverse learners. Previously, she taught Prealgebra, Algebra, and English as a Second Language (ESL) Math at Northwest Middle School. During a sabbatical, she worked to help students transition from middle to high school.

Vivian provides all students with access to quality education by working with their individual strengths. In her quest to help students find success and a sense of belonging, she has implemented support structures such as Girls’ Math Club, a Math in the City project, Math Lab, and an afterschool homework hall. Her belief in collaboration has led to work with several learning communities, including cross-curricular teams, networks for inclusive practices, and curriculum design teams. She is a mentor for new teachers in the Support and Mentoring in an Alternative Route to Teaching program with Math for America. She is known for her innovative and accessible teaching methods and has presented throughout the State.

In 2012, Vivan was one of 97 teachers named by President Barack Obama as a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Teaching Award for Excellent in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST is the nation's highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. View a Salt Lake Tribune story on the award at: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54284677-78/science-math-teachers-winners.html.csp

Vivian has a B.S., cum laude, in geology from the University of Utah. She is certified in geology and mathematics education and endorsed in ESL.