- April 20, 2024
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Early in his career, Matanzas High School Teacher of the Year Lee Winfree re-evaulated his teaching style.
While students in his advanced-placement math courses were thriving, a comment from a former student made him realize that he was pushing his students too hard.
“A former student told me that some (students) had decided to change from math related majors because of my class,” Winfree wrote in the writing prompts for his Teacher of the Year application. “While these students excelled in class and were some of the smartest kids I ever taught, this affected me greatly.”
Winfree realized it was not enough to reach his students, he also needed to give them confidence that they could succeed, not just in his class, but in the more rigorous courses in college.
Now, his AP math classes are popular.
“The relationships he builds in his classroom are evident. Students are willing to sign up for the most challenging math classes in our school and work hard because his reputation as a teacher is so legendary.”
— KRISTIN BOZEMAN, Matanzas principal
“The relationships he builds in his classroom are evident,” first-year Matanzas Principal Kristin Bozeman wrote in her Teacher of the Year recommendation. “Students are willing to sign up for the most challenging math classes in our school and work hard because his reputation as a teacher is so legendary. Their hard work pays off too, because Mr. Winfree's pass rates on his AP calculus and AP statistics exams are excellent — regularly exceeding the national average for these subjects.”
Winfree is in his 22nd year as a teacher. He is in his 10th year at Matanzas. He also taught one year at Flagler Palm Coast (2012-2013). In addition to AP calculus and statistics, he also teaches probability and statistics, which is an honors course, and two dual-enrollment college courses — algebra and trigonometry — through Daytona State College.
Winfree completed a master's degree in education in 2005. In 2016, he decided to work toward a second master's degree in mathematical sciences so that he could teach dual-enrollment college courses at Matanzas. He earned the master's in math in 2018.
“By getting my (master's degree in math), we opened a way for students who cannot drive or travel to have an opportunity to take dual enrollment classes. This is becoming ever more important alongside the AICE program where the college algebra and college trigonometry classes are key to students earning their AA in conjunction with their AICE diploma.”
— LEE WINFREE
“By getting my degree, we opened a way for students who cannot drive or travel to have an opportunity to take dual enrollment classes,” Winfree wrote. “This is becoming ever more important alongside the AICE program where the college algebra and college trigonometry classes are key to students earning their AA in conjunction with their AICE diploma.”
Last year, 21 of his 22 AP statistics students passed the exams with a 3 or higher, with 55% earning the highest grade of 5.
“This accomplishment is a great personal achievement because many of these students are in their final year of high school and some have been with me for two or three years,” Winfree wrote. “This says a lot about the success I am having
with students in my classroom. They come back year after year knowing that the rigor and expectations are high, but they know they will be given opportunities to succeed and any assistance they need when they are struggling.”
Winfree is also an after-school math tutor, working with students who are not in his advanced classes. He also is the sponsor for Matanzas' Mu Alpha Theta math club. He is an AP reader for the statistics exam, scoring students' responses. He has served as a school representative for the district's curriculum mapping, and he is a new teacher mentor. He also helps out with the school's cross country and track teams.
“His passion for students and creating a positive culture goes beyond his classroom,” former Matanzas Principal Jeff Reaves, who is now the district's director of teaching and learning, wrote in his recommendation for Winfree. “He is truly a team player and always tries his best to foster positive relationships.”
