Richards Math Teacher Wins MEA Golden Apple Award

The numbers tell the story: 2 years in the teaching profession, 4 children, 1 mission.
Richards Middle School math teacher Andrea Bingham wants all of her students to love math. In her class, you’re likely to hear songs. “She makes up these little songs that go like different tunes to songs you already know as kids and stuff and they basically tell you exactly what to do, how to solve the math problem,” says student Chelsea Kennedy.

Yes, music and math go hand in hand in Mrs. Bingham’s 7th grade class. The mother of four is determined to make math fun. “I love math and I have always loved math and it’s kind of my mission in life to make kids like it as well,” says Bingham.

She made Anna Harrell like it. She nominated Mrs. Bingham for the MEA Golden Apple Award. Anna didn’t much care for math until she met Mrs. Bingham. “There really is such a thing as the “light bulb” moment. You really see it in a child’s eyes when they get it because their eyes all of a sudden open and you can see the light bulb going off in the head.”

Mrs. Bingham had her own epiphany when she realized as a substitute teacher, that she loved being in the classroom. So she went back to school and got her Masters. It was a decision she’s never once regretted. “I am just very, very honored to win this award. It gives me validation and it makes me want to keep doing what I’m doing,” says Bingham.