Professor wins Piper Foundation award for achievement in education

By Katie Hudson-Martinez/feature editor

David Price, associate professor of math on SE Campus, uses the chalkboard to explain math equations. Price was named one of the top 15 college educators in Texas by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.  Photo by Rachel Hudson/The Collegian
David Price, associate professor of math on SE Campus, uses the chalkboard to explain math equations. Price was named one of the top 15 college educators in Texas by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. Photo by Rachel Hudson/The Collegian

When students balk over taking their dreaded math requirements, David Price eases their pain by explaining the subject in ways students can understand.

Using what he calls an integrated approach, Price, associate math professor on SE Campus, has been named one of the top 15 college educators in the state of Texas this year by the Minnie Stevens

Piper Foundation.

The foundation awards and honors individual achievement in education by rewarding professors who have a distinguished career and an exceptional ability to stimulate the minds of their students.

The competition is stiff as it includes nominees from two-and four-year colleges as well as technical and trade schools across the state.

Price, beginning his 32nd year at TCC, was nominated by a majority vote from the SE faculty.
SE President Judith Carrier commended Price on his achievement.

“ He represents the highest caliber of teacher—one dedicated and determined to find the best way possible to reach those we are entrusted to educate.”

While many students dread having to take math courses, Price’s classrooms fill up quickly because of his dynamic teaching style.

“ I try to show them how what they are studying in my class relates to their major interests,” he said.

“ Whether it be science, engineering, business or whatever, you can make a connection,” he said.

Price understands why a lot of students are intimidated by algebra, but he insists it can be overcome if students can approach the subject in a different way.

“ Math is an abstract field, but it’s also precise. You have to be able to deal with the abstract and come out with a precise answer,” he said.

Price has been repeatedly recognized as an outstanding educator, receiving the TCC Chancellor’s Award for Exemplary Teaching in 1989.

He also received the Teaching Excellence Award from the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges in 2002.

He is co-founder and director of the Cornerstone honors program, and he designed an honors course that traces the development of mathematics and science from their roots in philosophy.

“ I would describe him as a true Renaissance man,” said Price’s wife and college sweetheart Elise, also an associate professor of math on SE Campus.

“ He is interested in all aspects of learning, and he is committed to his work, his research and his students, ” she said.

Their son Paul has followed in their footsteps and teaches AP chemistry and physics at Trinity Valley High School in Fort Worth.

The younger Price has also been honored with several awards, including High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year on both local and regional levels.

Andie Piehl, secretary to the Dean of TCU, wrote a letter of recommendation for David Price after having him as an adviser in Cornerstone.

Piehl was a non-traditional student and felt intimidated by the whole process of returning to college.

She expressed gratitude for the support and guidance she received from Price and others in the honors program.

“ You can’t imagine how much he opened my mind. It really changed my life,” she said.

Since TCC was founded in 1965, six of its professors have received the Piper award, which includes a $5000 grant.

Previous recipients are Laura Wood, Dave Clinkscale, Duane Gage, Gary Smith and Eduardo Aguilar.

Aguilar, chairman of the NW Campus visual arts department, received the Piper award in 2004.

Aguilar was one of the many to call and congratulate Price on his award.

“ It’s a very prestigious award in Texas, one I was honored to receive. It reflects positively on our school, so I wanted to thank him and congratulate him on his success,” he said.

Price plans to continue teaching math on SE Campus and working with students in Cornerstone.

He said he has been honored to receive the award, adding he is grateful an organization in Texas promotes and rewards effective teaching methods.