News Release: 7 May 2008
Ramstein High School Teacher Receives Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence in Mathematics
Diane Schnellhammer teaches math analysis (pre-calculus) and AP calculus at
Ramstein High School in the U.S. Department of Defense Education Agency,
Germany region, Kaiserslautern district. She has been teaching at the school
since 1992. Ms. Schnellhammer’s vision and excellent educator skills have won her praise from
students, parents and colleagues. Her contributions to student achievement are
exemplary: the passing percentage score of her students taking the College Board’s
AP Calculus AB examination over the past six years has been nearly 30-percent
higher than the national average. She is credited with these stellar results due
to the willingness of her students to adhere to her strict study regimen of
oral recitation, memorization, cooperative learning, and after-school/weekend
study group sessions. Ms. Schnellhammer earns praise for her teacher-parent
communications skills and for the individual attention she gives every student.
As a result of her dedication, students have pursued mathematics careers.
Ms. Schnellhammer is a student of the latest educational research and the advantages of available technology. She regularly participates in professional development opportunities, brings new strategies back to the classroom, and mentors others to do the same. Ms. Schnellhammer is very much involved in her school, serving eight years as chair of the mathematics department. In the past year, she shared her vast experience with the School Improvement Leadership Team as the school prepared for an accreditation visit.
Ms. Schnellhammer’s list of accomplishments includes Beta Sigma Phi Woman of the Year. She is the recipient of the National Honor Roll’s Outstanding American Teachers Award and has been selected for Who's Who Among American High School Teachers. She has a B.S. in education at Midwestern State University and an M.Ed. from the University of Oklahoma.
