Schools
Roswell High School Teacher Influenced MIT Student
First-Year Student Says Ms. Christi Chilton Made an Impact
Roswell High School teacher Christi Chilton was named by former student and Massachusetts Institute of Technology freshman Matthew Nay as being especially influential to him during his high school career.
“Each academic year we ask students admitted to MIT to share the name of a teacher who has been especially influential in their development,” said Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services Stu Schmill in his congratulatory letter to Chilton. “It is a remarkable achievement and a great honor to change a life.”
Nay is a 2019 graduate of Roswell High School. At MIT, Nay plans to study business analytics and hopes to one day be a general manager for a major league baseball team.
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“I chose Ms. Chilton [because] I fell in love with chemistry during her class and really like the way she taught,” said Nay. “She also would come in very early or stay late for help no matter what student was asking for help. She teaches to every student’s strongpoint, which allows every kid to have the ability to achieve.”
The upcoming school year will be Chilton’s 18th year of teaching, 14 of which have been at Roswell High School. She teaches Honors and AP Chemistry, sponsors four student organizations. In the past, she has coached track and cross country.
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Said Chilton, “I became a teacher to try to make a difference and encourage STEM education…. I know that many students do not come to high school with a love of science and I try to encourage and foster that in them. There is such beauty and application in chemistry, and I hope I can make them see that, even if only in a small way.”
Last year, Chilton was also selected for the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award, after being nominated by a member of Roswell High School’s class of 2018.
Said Principal Robert Shaw, “[Chilton] has mastered the ability create a fun and engaging learning environment while simultaneously holding them to high academic expectations. Ultimately, students want to feel like they are a part of something special. Mrs. Chilton has created that class culture and, while she works her students hard, I am not surprised that they value and appreciate her as much as they do.”
