Amber Sturdy

Porter High School
New Caney Independent School District

Amber Sturdy is an Algebra 1 teacher and team leader at Porter High School in Porter, Texas, working primarily with ninth-grade students. Amber graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston-Downtown with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Curriculum–Mathematics Education at the University of Texas at Arlington. Previously, Amber worked as an instructional coach, supporting teachers in implementing research-based instructional strategies before returning to the classroom this school year.

Amber employs a variety of instructional strategies in her classroom, including the “Building Thinking Classroom” framework to promote student engagement, collaboration and mathematical comprehension. This approach helps students develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and fosters a supportive environment, so students feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes. By incorporating real-world applications and problem-solving tasks, Amber helps students see the relevance of mathematics in their everyday lives and motivates them to engage more deeply with the content.

Amber’s leadership extends beyond the classroom as Algebra 1 Team Lead, former Math Department Chair and Student Council Sponsor. She is a frequent speaker at district conferences on topics such as mathematical rigor, student engagement and collaborative learning. Her dedication has earned her recognition as a nominee for the prestigious Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, a national honor. She also is a previous Porter High School Teacher of the Year.