Peter DeCraene

Peter DeCraene

Fellowship Placement: Library of Congress
Hometown: Berwyn, IL

Peter DeCraene has taught mathematics and computer science to middle and high school students for over 30 years, including the last 23 at Evanston Township High School, where he teaches Advanced Algebra, Precalculus, and Computer Science Principles AP.  Peter has also served as the Math Department Chair at ETHS, helped develop and implement the District Mathematics Standards, and worked as an Instructional Coach helping teachers refine their practice.  Students in Peter's classes appreciate his patient tenacity in helping them learn difficult concepts, his enthusiasm for his subjects and his creativity in designing lessons to meet students’ needs and backgrounds.  Peter believes that a working knowledge of mathematics and computer science is essential for today’s society, and that math unlocks beauty in the world beyond numbers and formulas.  He has been an active participant in local and national groups discussing how to make math and computer science education equitable across race and gender for students and teachers.  Peter has a B.A. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Computer Science from DePaul University as well as a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership from National Louis University.  He is certified in grades 6-12 mathematics and in school administration, has earned National Board Certification in Secondary Mathematics.  Peter has spoken at local, state, and national conferences, has served on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago (from which the NCTM was founded), co-authored a textbook for the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, and was awarded the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.