Lana Hansen is one of those special teachers you'll remember all your life -- smart, fun, caring and effective.

Hansen, a teacher at Willow Creek Elementary School, has been honored for her work as a finalist for the 2008 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

"Lana has demonstrated that she is an outstanding educator dedicated to providing her students with a rich mathematics program and to improving mathematics education in her school and district," said Mattye Pollard-Cole, Colorado Mathematics Coordinator for the Presidential Awards.

As a first-grade teacher, Hansen has had an impact on classes throughout the school, while her expertise and professionalism have impressed her colleagues.

"Ms. Hansen has developed an outstanding reputation as a teacher at the school, regional, and state levels. Most of all, the impact of her work is most felt directly in her classroom each year," said Willow Creek Elementary School principal Craig Belshe.

Hansen has served as the coordinator for Willow Creek's school-level Mathematics Study Team and Mathematics Learning Community for many years. She has also participated in the initial Mathematics Certificate Program administered by Cherry Creek Schools and serves as a resource in district projects.

But Hansen gets her drive and enthusiasm from working with children in the classroom. "I have the best job in the world," she said. "I get to work with these children and learn with them and from them."

She said math has evolved significantly since she was in elementary school. "My whole goal is to not have a math class like the ones I had growing up," she said. "Math today is not just procedural steps and drills to be completed over and over again."

"When we find meaning, it sets its purpose," Hansen said. "My job is to help students unlock the mystery of math. We use math tools such as cubes, chips, and the learning carpet as concrete ways to make their thinking become visible."

Hansen credits the team of teachers she works with in creating dynamic teaching and learning environments. And although she's honored to be named a finalist for the award, she measures her success one day at time.

"The most important thing to me is that students go home every day understanding a little more than they did the day before," she said.

The winner of the 2008 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching is scheduled to be announced in March.