Joseph Boateng Danquah II was thrilled to be recognized for his creativity in the classroom and ability to inspire his students to pursue careers in mathematics and science.
Danquah teaches Advanced Placement Calculus AB and BC (college-level calculus courses), algebra, pre-calculus, and geometry at New York’s Bard High School Early College. He is one of two African teachers to win a 2015 Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics.
Nearly 100 teachers were nominated for the Sloan Award by students, parents, colleagues and administrators for inspiring students to be passionate about their own education and demonstrating the work ethic necessary for student success and supporting that with results.
Growing up in Ghana, Danquah had dreams of becoming an architect. “I had dreams of putting something on the record in architecture that couldn’t be easily dislodged like Francis Kere [award-winning African architect] has done and continues to do.” said Danquah.
Upon arriving to the United States after high school, Danquah’s joy of teaching math to his peers was enough for him to enhance his studies. After graduating from Buffalo State College, he then enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a doctoral degree and ultimately become a tenured professor.
Unfortunately, the 36-year-old learned that his younger brother had autism and decided to leave school to help his mother, who recently left her job to take care of her son full-time.
“Outside of marrying my wife, it was the best decision I have made so far,” says Danquah of his departure. This move led him to the New York Teaching Fellows program and eventually a secondary school teaching career.
After leaving the doctoral program, he became a teacher at DeWitt Clinton High School. “It quickly became clear to me that the students enrolled, though eager to challenge themselves, were just not prepared for the rigor and pace of the course.” Danquah said.
The award-winning teacher developed a summer boot camp, in 2007, which prepared students for AP Calculus BC. The boot camp allowed prospective Calculus BC students to report to school two to three weeks before the first day of school in order to work on understanding all the precalculus math classes.
“For most, participating in the program was their first true attempt at doing mathematics and I always enjoyed the ease with which they transitioned to Calculus as a result.” Danquah said.
The boot camp was a success in earning the high passing rate over the 7 years and the 100 percent passing in his last 2 years at DeWitt Clinton.
After leaving DeWitt Clinton in 2013, Danquah spent one academic year at Harry Truman High School before landing a permanent position at Bard High School Early College.
Bard High School Early College’s Principal Michael Lerner says, “Joseph is a mathematics instructor that is almost too good to be true. He mixes his generosity and willingness to work with students at any time with a remarkable mathematical skill and unparalleled work ethic.”
“My hope, as students graduate from my classes, is that they see mathematics as full of “Wonderful Theorems with Beautiful Proofs and Great Applications” as James Acheson put it.“ Danquah says. “I believe that achieving this will help make, if not guarantee, a black male teacher receiving such an award not a rarity but a common happening.”
Danquah plans to complete his doctoral degree someday soon.
