Sterling garners Crooks Teaching Chair Award
For 10 years, Crystal Sterling has been sharing her passion for mathematics with Meridian
Community College students. It’s not just teaching the fundamentals of the discipline
that drives her but she strives for the students to understand.
“And I do that by sparking the brains that may change the world,” she said.
Sterling teaches Intermediate and College Algebra, Geometry, Measurements & Probability and Problem-Solving with Real Numbers at Meridian Community College. Her enthusiasm, determination, and goal to do the best in serving MCC students have led her to receive the William B. Crooks Teaching Chair Award.
The endowed chair that's funded through the MCC Foundation was established to provide a continuing celebration of the life of William B. Crooks, his dedication to education, and the building of community in East Mississippi.
As the chairholder, Sterling will garner a $100 monthly stipend plus $20,000 to be spent over two years. Her goals for the math department are divided into three parts.
“I want to put a TI graphic calculator in the hands of deserving students who cannot afford to purchase at our college, reducing a barrier to learning,” she said as one of her goals.
She also plans to attend the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators Conference to learn about the innovations in teaching with graphic calculators.
And, she plans to re-ignite the Summer Bridge Program for the College’s Mathematics Department. It is an intensive two-week session to improve students' basic and intermediate algebra skills to move into College Algebra for the fall semester.
Sterling holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from Mississippi Valley State University and a master of science degree in mathematics with a minor in statistics from Mississippi State University.