Mr. Bolognese, one of the top Math educators in the United States, has been honored with the 2021 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Mr. Bolognese, or Mr. B. as he is warm-heartedly known to students, received the country’s most prestigious math and science award. First nominated in 2020, Mr. Bolognese has eclipsed the final step, representing Ohio as one of two math teachers.
The selection committee evaluates applicants based on five dimensions for outstanding teaching: mastery of content, successful instruction, effective assessments, life-long learning, and opportunity and leadership both in and out of the classroom. After receiving the award himself, Mr. B. now evaluates current applications, continuing the legacy of excellence in mathematics teaching.
The application process, after being nominated by a former student or peer, involves a number of requirements, including three letters of recommendation, which he obtained from colleagues Dr. Dennett, Dr. Linder, and Mr. Olexio, as well as an endorsement from a former student. Mr. B. created a thirty-minute video of his live teaching, plus a twenty-page analysis of every action or question that occurred during the clip. If that seems like a lot, we’re just getting started. He also submitted a test he gave, along with explanations about his approach and method for the test.
Next, Mr. B. wrote an essay about his involvement in the community, ranging from a school to international level. He highlighted his pre-pandemic work with Math Circles, a network for math educators who discuss challenging problems to foster curiosity and improve teaching in their own courses. Along with leading the Columbus Math Circle and facilitating sessions across the United States, Mr. B. helped start a cohort in Australia, sharing wisdom and providing support.
Presenting at nearly 50 conferences nationally, Mr. B. edited contests for the American Mathematics Competition, and published several articles, the most recent of which spotlighted a symmetrical fruit project for his calculus students, who were tasked with finding ways to determine the fruit’s volume. With his 20 years of teaching experience as a tutor, Upper Arlington teacher, and—formerly for five years as Academy’s Mathematics department chair, he strives to engage his students in creative ways. One way this presents itself is through Desmos, an online graphing calculator, which he uses for class demonstrations and which learned more about as one of 40 Desmos Teacher Fellows out of 800 who applied.
Now, hearing Mr. Bolognese’s achievements raises the question: how did he get here? His post-high school education began at The Ohio State University, where he pursued civil engineering and took many mathematics courses along the way, resulting in two Bachelor of Science degrees (civil engineering and mathematics) with Summa Cum Laude in both. Mr. B. didn’t want to confine himself to a cubicle job, for being a teacher’s assistant for three years as an undergrad ignited his passion for teaching. After substitute-teaching for a year around Central Ohio, Mr. B. returned to OSU and received his Master of Education in Mathematics.
From there, he taught math at Upper Arlington for ten years, serving as the Math Department Co-Chair. Mr. B. came to Academy in 2015 and has since revolutionized students’ education: in addition to teaching 10 different courses, he organized a national educators math conference in 2019 and was a six-time recipient of the Milt Taylor Innovation Grant Award.
Mr. B.’s love for learning and desire to provide students with quality curriculum in a changing world has resulted in two more degrees. He obtained a Master of Sciences in Mathematics from Texas A&M University in 2018 and a Master of Sciences in Data Science from Eastern University in 2024, alongside teaching full time. He’s eager to start another Masters degree in Cybersecurity in the near future.
Giving back to education programs outside of Academy, Mr. B. teaches a summer precalculus course to incoming freshmen at Texas A&M. The course, designed as a three-week bootcamp, meets virtually everyday for two hours—and sometimes, Mr. B. teaches three of these two-hour sessions per day. He also creates math and logic games for students grades 4-9 through Math Plus Academy, an online enrichment program created by his friend, Dr. Raj Shah.
Outside of his professional success, Mr. B. is in five bands, performing a multitude of genres and songs. His musical journey began at a young age, after observing his mother, a talented pianist, and his father, a jazz guitarist. Now, he knows how to play bass guitar, piano, drums, and would love to learn trumpet.
His own band, The Whiles, has released five indie rock albums since he was 19. He’s also in Sgt. Peppercorn Marathon with the husband of his fellow math teacher, Ms. Peppercorn, covering every Beatles song at the Athenaeum each year.
His other cover bands are Mr. Fahrenheit and the Loverboys, a tribute to British rock band Queen, and another dedicated to Bob Dylan. His final band, The Liner Notes, learns and performs entire albums by artists. Whether it’s blocking out Sundays for 10-hour practice sessions or gathering during long weekends, Mr. B. makes time for musical endeavors, continuing his passion for music.
Mr. B. and his wife, Emily, are animal lovers, owning four cats and a dog. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he volunteered at local animal shelters including Kindred Hearts Transport Connection, transporting dogs away from overloaded facilities in the southern states to loving homes.
Mr. B. credits his success to two key things: curiosity and collaboration. He attributes his mindset to advice from Michigan State University educator Gail Burrill: “If you can, don’t say no. Put yourself out there when a new opportunity arises because it might not exist the next time. Lean into the opportunity and if it sounds like something you’re curious about, do it.” He’s eager to try new things and work with others to increase mutual understanding, advancing the field of education.
As a former student of Mr. Bolognese, I agree he is most deserving of this award. He never overloaded us with packets, but rather, connected art and math through Desmos and interactive activities.
Mr. B says the best part of earning this honor is “hearing back from former students, colleagues, and friends.”
Congratulations Mr. Bolognese—we are beyond proud of you!
