David Kapolka
Fellowship Placement: National Science Foundation
Cohort: 2004-2005
David Kapolka has taught mathematics for 34 years in Michigan, 9 years at the middle school and 25 years at the high school level. He was mathematics department chair for 13 years at Forest Hills Northern High School. He also spent 6 years as an adjunct professor of mathematics at Grand Valley State University, 3 years as a teacher educator for the University of Michigan, and 6 years as an online professor of statistics education for UC Berkeley.
During his fellowship David worked at the National Science Foundation in the division formerly called ESIE, Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education. He assisted in managing program panels, evaluating grant proposals, but his primary responsibility was the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science.
As a result of his fellowship, David was exposed to many opportunities at the national level that allowed him to have a greater impact on teachers and students. Following his fellowship, he became a national training and consultant for Key Curriculum Press.