Learning: DisneyHand Teacher Awards: The 2004 Honorees
Claude F. Valle, III
Middle School: Math - 6th grade

Claude F. Valle, III
Weston Middle School
Weston, MA

"As teachers, we need to give our students opportunities to learn what they have within. There are discoveries and abilities inside kids waiting to emerge that we as teachers see, but kids often don't know are there. The key is helping our students believe and trust in themselves so these things can come out. Teaching is a lot of tending, watering, and patience with sometimes no visible growth, but the roots established by students can help them grow to be independent, life-learners."

-- Claude

"When you walk into Claude Valle's sixth grade math room, you know that students will see and look at math differently for the rest of their lives. From the ceiling of his room hang a hundred Mobius strips; a large aquarium filled with dead calculators displays a history of math technology; lists of every student Claude has ever taught cover the walls; math manipulatives fill storage bins; student math art provides color and excitement. The world of mathematics is alive and waiting for a talented teacher like Claude to bring it alive."

-- Linda Butler, Asst. Principal

To get kids engaged in learning math, Claude works hard to make math interesting, fun, varied and connected. Noting that the human brain took over three million years to develop and that formal mathematics has only existed for several thousand years, Claude believes all people have the brain-power to "do math", the key is unlocking it. Claude tries to do this by connecting math to daily life. Movement, writing, history, pop culture, art, games and family involvement also play an important part in his students learning math. His room reflects his philosophy of connectedness in math. Projects abound; math is creative. In Claude's class, "math is motion, art, writing, people, life and entertainment. Math is not a spectator sport."

Other Highlights:

  • Educational/Math Consultant, SchoolWorks, LLC, Beverly, MA; Created and delivered one-day training workshop to a group of Princeton Review Trainers on implementation of the Impact Math text series. In turn, they trained teachers in NYC public schools, 2003.
  • Multiple-time Massachusetts Teacher of the Year nominee.
  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (authored "Teaching Tips" article in their magazine)
  • Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Massachusetts (Conference Speaker - "Game Show Mathematics").
  • Swim Coach - Two-time NISCA National High School Dual Meet Champions, 14 State Championship Team Titles in 16 years, 2002 AFLAC National Coach of the Year, 2001, Boston Globe All-Scholastic Coach of the Year, 1999 EMSCA Meritorious Service Award, 1997 Weston Boosters Community Service Award, 1994 DCL Bob Chruz Sportsmanship Award, 1991 NIFCA Massachusetts State Outstanding Coach, 1988 Runner-up, Maine State Coach of the Year.
  • Two-time Weston High School Commencement Guest Speaker.
  • Weston War Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee member.
  • Runs Saturday Morning Detention at Weston High School.
  • Weston Recreation Department, Weston, MA, Founder/Coach of Catfish summer swim team, 1997-present.
  • Enjoys running, pick-up basketball, walking with wife, playing with three children, and reading anything on personality or brain research.
  • Is a long-suffering Red Sox fan.