If, as they say, “the proof of the pudding is in the tasting,” life must taste very sweet for Hurricane High School math teacher Natalie Dillinger. Besides attaining coveted National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification and classroom success, Dillinger has been selected as Putnam County Schools’ Teacher of the Year for 2007-2008. Dillinger, a graduate of Bob Jones University and Marshall University, begins her 9th year at Hurricane High School this fall. Prior to that, she taught middle and high school mathematics in California, and at Marshall University. Since she has been in Putnam County Schools, Dillinger has distinguished herself as a member of the Hurricane High School Local Improvement Council and the SAS in School team. In addition, she has been a presenter of professional development sessions for mathematics and technology teachers at county, state, and national conferences. She is a member of the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the American Federation of Teachers. In December of 2006, Dillinger attained National Board Certification for Adolescent Mathematics, one of the most challenging and prestigious certifications in the field of education. In the same year she was nominated for the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement Calculus BC. Dillinger’s success as a teacher may be due, in part, to her beliefs about teaching and learning. She believes in keeping students engaged in the learning process and safe from ridicule. “While lectures have a valuable place in the learning process, they are not the only classroom method to be used; I want students to feel comfortable asking questions and participating in class discussions,” she states. “I use small group or whole group discussions to encourage students to express ideas verbally. I believe there is a greater understanding when students can explain their solutions and defend the procedures used to arrive at them,” she says. As for herself, Dillinger says that she believe teachers must continually be learners, ready to discuss and try new strategies and ideas. Attaining Teacher of the Year designation may be rewarding, but Dillinger feels that her greatest compensation comes when a student understands a difficult concept, wins at math field day, succeeds in college math, or passes an AP exam – the proof of the pudding for Putnam County Teacher of the Year Natalie Dillinger.