Nancy Chesley
Grades K-5 Science, Mathematics and Literacy Specialist
(t) 207.626.3230 Ext 122
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Biography
Nancy Chesley is a K-5 Mathematics, Science, and Literacy Specialist at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. With 31 years of experience in elementary education, she works in the areas of mathematics and science professional development and literacy integration. Nancy was an elementary teacher for 26 years in MSAD #51. She received several grants, including Using Wisconsin Fast Plants to Teach Graphing. Her publications include Project SEED’s Using Paper Airplanes to Teach Mathematics and Using Pine Trees to Teach Measurement. Her mathematics-based curriculum for the University of New Hampshire’s Forest Watch earned her the Gary Lauten Award in 2006. Nancy has presented her work at state, regional, and national conventions. As co-director of the Early Mathematical Thinking Enhancement Project, she trained over 100 educators to use the K-4 Early Mathematical Thinking screening tools for formative assessment. She analyzed student work for differentiation and RTI and developed presentations for mathematical content and pedagogy. She conducted book studies, facilitated alignment work with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, and presented research-based instructional strategies, including integration of mathematics, science, and literacy. Nancy participated in the Maine Governor's Academy for Science Education Leadership and Maine’s NASA Teacher Leader Program. She received the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship in 2000, the PAEMST (Presidential Award for Excellence in Elementary Mathematics and Science Teaching) in 2001, and the Milken Foundation National Distinguished Educator Award in 2002. She was president of the Maine Science Teachers’ Association. Nancy served on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) committee developing the framework for assessment items. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Language Literacy with additional graduate credits in mathematics. Nancy remains a certified K-8 teacher and literacy specialist.
