Math teacher and UIL academic Coach Anthony Newberry has stood out among hundreds of teachers across Texas, winning Texas Tech’s Professor Helen I. Medley award. Given for the late professor, Newberry won this award because he made a difference in the lives of his students.
However, being a math teacher wasn’t the only option Newberry had when deciding on his career path.
“I sat down and tried to think about my best qualities,” Newberry. “In college, I wanted to be either a math teacher or a lawyer.”
Decades later, he continues teaching math, with over 25 years of experience. Having first taught at the now defunct Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, Newberry has made a notable name for himself at Seminole High School in three straight years, contributing to his being the sole recipient of this year’s Medley award.
“I didn’t know anything about the award, so I did research and found that it was fairly prestigious,” Newberry said. “They actually had to feature three students and a few other colleagues in a video. It felt like fellow staff and students were a big part in me winning the award.”
Newberry winning the honor can be attributed to his dedication toward coaching his UIL math teams, where he and his students strive for high placement. Newberry feels motivated to continue coaching as he watches his students improve.
“My students see the growth,” Newberry said. “It’s something that’s super tangible. They can see what hard work does for them.”
He and his team’s efforts have sent a handful of students to the state meet in the past two years.
“I like to coach the underdog teams, the teams that ‘shouldn’t be’ with some of these other bigger schools,” Newberry said. “Another thing is that it gives an opportunity for non-athletic people to win something.”
Despite his strengths as both a teacher and coach now, he said he struggled finding his footing during his early years.
“My first year teaching was tough,” Newberry said. “I woke up every morning wanting to quit. Around year three, I had to decide between going all in on teaching or doing something else.”
Newberry made the decision of going all in. He began improving his teaching skills over the years and learned that not all students learn the same.
“Every year’s a new challenge with a new set of students,” Newberry said. “I try to do it better, explain things better.”
Newberry can now recognize the difficulties with his students the moment they step through the door.
“The hardest thing about being a math teacher is that people say they can’t do it,” Newberry said. “It can be someone highly intelligent, and even they walk in saying they can’t do something.”
Aside from Newberry’s vast knowledge of all things mathematic, he is an accomplished baker, often bringing homemade brownies to the meets using “recipes from a really good friend of mine at an old school.”
He said he places emphasis on putting the right brands of ingredients into the brownies, pecan bars and other sweet treats that he bakes.
Newberry also is an avid sports supporter, attending Indian and Maiden games on and off the road. He was named Fan of the Year by the athletic booster club last year. He also participates in a sport himself–disc golf. He travels to tournaments all over the country.
“I enjoy playing disc golf,” Newberry said. “I’ve played in at least 30 states. This summer, I’ll be taking a three-week trip that is almost entirely disc golf.”
Newberry is known for his tireless effort and commitment to his craft as he continues to encourage students, showing them that they can do something that they once thought to be too difficult.
