The Teacher’s Teacher

Drew Polly ’99 is passionate about helping teachers. As a professor in the elementary education program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, he not only prepares future teachers, but also works in local elementary schools to help teachers improve how they teach math. In addition, he conducts and publishes research that influences teaching nationwide and creates free instructional resources for North Carolina educators.

“For teachers, it’s not just about knowing the math, but about teaching it in an engaging way, based on how we know children’s brains work in terms of learning. I give teachers a menu of options to try,” he says. “I want to build true partnerships and relationships with educators and school leaders, where I return to the same classroom several times over the course of the year to hear about what’s working, what’s not and see how I can help.”

In recognition of his service to his community and the thousands of students positively impacted by his work, the W&M Alumni Association will award Drew the 2026 Alumni Civic & Humanitarian Leadership Award on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. in the Sadler Center’s Commonwealth Auditorium.

Recipients of the award exemplify the university’s values, dedicating significant time, leadership and energy to serve humanity. Those who receive this award are compassionate citizens who devote their knowledge, skills, and time to serve the greater good. Learn more about the award.

Drew’s parents instilled in him a belief in the power of volunteering and helping others. Though he thought he’d pursue a career related to his kinesiology major (now health sciences) at William & Mary, he felt called by elementary education. During his time at W&M he was a soccer coach with the Williamsburg Soccer Club and a camp counselor in the summer.

“My mom said something along the lines of, ‘You are good with kids and seem to enjoy it. What could you do that builds on that skill?’”, he says.

He earned an elementary education degree and was placed in D.J. Montague Elementary School, not far from campus. W&M students and faculty worked closely with teachers there as collaborative partners in the children’s education — a model that Drew now uses in classrooms in Charlotte.

“I was mentored not only by amazing teachers there but also by my principal, Larry Walk ’66, M.Ed. ’68,” he says. “Professors Margie Mason and Bob Hannafin took me under their wings and lit a fire under me for going to graduate school and exploring teaching teachers. My time at William & Mary helped shape my life and I am grateful for that.”

Drew received his master’s degree at Old Dominion University and then his Ph.D. at the University of Georgia. He began at UNC Charlotte in 2006, and during the past 20 years spends one to three days each week volunteering in public schools, working with teachers. Since 2008, Drew has partnered with school districts around the Charlotte region and throughout North Carolina to develop free instructional resources and supports.

As part of the academic community, he has served as a volunteer co-editor of a nationally published peer-reviewed journal called PDS Partners: Bridging Research to Practice. His research appears in over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters about teaching and learning.

He was a recipient of the 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Medallion Award given for volunteer service and the 2024 Boundary Spanner Award from the National Association for School-University Partnerships. He has served many years as a co-chair of a state mathematics conference.

“Elementary math is a gateway for students to math in higher grades, college and careers,” he says. “This work is like a puzzle, finding different ways to support teachers and students.”

All the while, he has been coaching youth soccer for three decades, guiding young people on the field as well as in the classroom.

He feels blessed to have built a career that allows him to serve others and make a difference for so many teachers and students. He believes it is important for everyone to think about ways to support schools and educators.

“Not everybody was made to be in the classroom and work directly with kids. Not everybody wants to be a school board member. But everybody can think about how they can support children and invest in the next generation.”